Page:Dale - A Marriage Below Zero.djvu/119

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A Marriage Below Zero.
113

I so blinded by prejudice that everything this man did simply nauseated my soul?

"I do sincerely hope that I am not intruding," he went on blandly. "I told Arthur—"

"Not at all," I said in the tones which a refrigerator would use if it could speak. "How are things in London?"

"You were there but yesterday," with a smile, as though he were determined that I should not forget this. "There is positively nothing new—positively nothing."

The announcement of dinner was a welcome sound in my ears. How heartily I wished before commencing it that it was over. It was not a very trying ordeal, however. My husband and Captain Dillington talked on a variety of subjects, and I did not feel it at all necessary, under the circumstances, to include myself in the conversation. I did not absolutely wish Captain Dillington to feel that his presence was unpleasant, but I likewise did not wish him to congratulate himself on the fact that it was pleasant.

After dinner I rose, and, leaving them to their own resources, went into the drawing-room. I