And there was no one like her. And because of the dress, which Colin
had planned, and because of the way which he had taught her to do her
hair, Delilah annexed to her train of admirers on the night of the
Secretary's dinner a distinguished titled gentleman, who was looking
for a wife to grace his ancestral halls--and who was impressed mightily
by the fact that Delilah looked the part to perfection.
He proposed to her in three weeks, and was so sure of his ability to
get what he wanted that he was stunned by her answer: "Perhaps I'll make up my mind to it. I'll give you your answer when I
come over in the spring."
"But I want my answer now."
"I'm sorry. But I can't."
When she told Colin of her abrupt dismissal of the discomfited
gentleman, she asked, almost plaintively, "Why couldn't I say 'yes' at
once? It is the thing I've always wanted."
"Have you really wanted it?"
"Of course."
"Not of course. You want other things more."
"What for example?"
"I think you know."
She did know, and she drew a quick breath. Then laughed.
"You're trying to teach me to understand my--emotions, Colin, as you
have taught me to understand my clothes."
"You're an apt pupil."
Tea came in, just then, and she poured for him, telling his fortune
afterward in his teacup.
"Are you superstitious?" she asked him, having worked out a future of
conventional happiness and success.
"Not enough to believe what you have told me." He was flickering his
pale lashes and smiling. "Life shall bring me what I want because I
shall make it come."
"Oh, you think that?"
"Yes. All things are possible to those of us who believe they are
possible."
"Perhaps to a man. But--to a woman. There's Leila, for example. I'm
afraid----"
"You mustn't be. Life will come right for her."
"How do you know?"
"It comes right for all of us, in one way or another. You'll find it
works out. You're afraid for your little friend because of
Ballard--he's pretty gay, eh?"
"Yes. More, I think, than she understands. But everybody else knows
that they sent him away for that. And I can't see any way out. If he
marries her he'll break her heart; if he doesn't marry her he'll break
it--and there you have it."
"You must not put these 'ifs' in their way. There'll be some way out."