"Like Rosamund Barry?"
I was silent.
"She," observed Elsin musingly, "was mad about you. No, you need not laugh or shrug impatiently--I know, Carus; she was mad to have you love her! Do you think I have neither eyes nor ears? But you treated her no whit better than you treated me. That I am certain of--did you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you?"
"Did I do what?"
"Treat Rosamund Barry kinder than you did me?"
"In what way?"
"Did you kiss her?"
"Never!"
"Would you say 'Never!' if you had?"
"No, I should say nothing."
"I knew it!" she cried, laughing. "I was certain of it. But, mercy on us, there were scores more women in New York--and I mean to ask you about each one, Carus, each separate one--some time--but, oh, I am so hungry now!"
I sprang to my feet, and walking into my chamber closed the door.
"Talk to me through the keyhole!" she called. "I shall tie my hair in a club, and bathe me and clothe me very quickly. Are you there, Carus? Do you hear what I say?"
So I leaned against the door and chatted on about Colonel Hamilton, until I ventured to hint at some small word of praise for me from his Excellency. With that she was at the door, all eagerness: "Oh, Carus! I knew you were brave and true! Did his Excellency say so? And well he might, too!--with you, a gentleman, facing the vilest of deaths there in New York, year after year. I am so glad, so proud of you, Carus, so happy! What have they made you--a major-general?"
"Oh, not yet," I said, laughing.
"And why not?" she exclaimed hotly.
"Elsin, if you don't dress quickly I'll sit at breakfast without you!" I warned her.
"Oh, I will, I will; I'm lacing--something--this very instant! Carus, when I bid you, you may come in and tie my shoulder-points. Wait a moment, silly! Just one more second. Now!"
As I entered she came up to me, turning her shoulder, and I threaded the points clumsily enough, I suppose, but she thanked me very sweetly, turned to the mirror, patted the queue-ribbon to a flamboyant allure, and, catching my hand in hers, pointed at the glass which reflected us both.
"Look at us!" she exclaimed, "look at the two runaways! Goodness, I should never have believed it, Carus!"
We stood a moment, hand clasping hand, curiously regarding the mirrored faces that smiled back so strangely at us. Then, somewhat subdued and thoughtful, we walked out through my chamber into a sunny little breakfast-room where landlord and servant received us a trifle too solemnly, and placed us at the cloth.