Hazard of New Fortunes, a — Volume 5 by William Dean Howells
page 52 of 139 (37%)
page 52 of 139 (37%)
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and drive off the new men, he might do some good? I have wanted to go and
try; but I am a woman, and I mustn't! I shouldn't be afraid of the strikers, but I'm afraid of what people would say!" Conrad kept pressing his handkerchief to the cut in his temple, which he thought might be bleeding, and now she noticed this. "Are you hurt, Mr. Dryfoos? You look so pale." "No, it's nothing--a little scratch I've got." "Indeed, you look pale. Have you a carriage? How will you get home? Will you get in here with me and let me drive you?" "No, no," said Conrad, smiling at her excitement. "I'm perfectly well--" "And you don't think I'm foolish and wicked for stopping you here and talking in this way? But I know you feel as I do!" "Yes, I feel as you do. You are right--right in every way--I mustn't keep you--Good-bye." He stepped back to bow, but she put her beautiful hand out of the window, and when he took it she wrung his hand hard. "Thank you, thank you! You are good and you are just! But no one can do anything. It's useless!" The type of irreproachable coachman on the box whose respectability had suffered through the strange behavior of his mistress in this interview drove quickly off at her signal, and Conrad stood a moment looking after the carriage. His heart was full of joy; it leaped; he thought it would burst. As he turned to walk away it seemed to him as if he mounted upon the air. The trust she had shown him, the praise she had given him, that |
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