how sweet! … What did the Church say of such things? … But what if religion were wrong, and this indeed were the satiety of the higher nature of which marriage was but the
The thoughts flew swifter than clouds as he sat there, bewildering, torturing, beckoning.
He made a violent effort. He must be sane, and face things.
“ Mr. Vincent,” he cried.
The kindly face turned to him again.
“ Mr. Vincent. …”
“Hush, I quite understand,” said the fatherly voice. “It is a shock, I know; but truth is a little shocking sometimes. Wait. I perfectly understand that you must have time. You must think it all over, and verify this. You must not commit yourself. But I think you had better have my address. The ladies are a little too emotional, are they not? I expect you would sooner come to see me without them.”
He laid his card on the little tea-table and stood up.
“Good night, Mr. Baxter.”
Laurie took his hand, and looked for a moment into the kind eyes. Then the man was gone.