Page:The Redemption of Anthony (1911).djvu/24

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

THE REDEMPTION OF ANTHONY

A knock at the door interrupted them, and the man brought in a card.

"He's here now. Run down and talk to him until I get into another gown."

Priscilla actually turned white. "I? Go and talk to him? Oh, I couldn't!"

"Nonsense! Run along."

"Mother, I'd be frightened to death. I couldn't!"

"Don't be silly, Priscilla; he's nothing but a man. I'll be down in a minute."

She disappeared into her bedroom, and Priscilla watched her go with frightened eyes.

"She wants me to go," she whispered, and turned and walked down-stairs.

Mr. Anthony Drake was pacing to and fro in the drawing-room, his thoughts upon the coming half-hour. The developments of the night before seemed to him to demand immediate readjustment of his relations to Mrs. Martin. He had spent the night going over the past and interrogating the future, and had arrived at the obvious con-

20