Shergold is going to leave?'
'P'r'aps he may be.'
'And you're vexed at losing a lodger.'
He saw her lip curl and then she laughed.
'You're wrong there.'
'Then _what_ is it?'
He drew near and made as though he would advance a familiar arm. Emma
started back.
'All right,' she exclaimed, with an insolent nod. 'I'll tell Mr. Shergold.'
'Tell Mr. Shergold? Why? What has it to do with him?'
'A good deal.'
'Indeed? For shame, Emma! I never expected _that_!'
'What do you mean?' she retorted hotly. 'You keep your impudence to
yourself. If you want to know, Mr. Shergold is going to _marry_ me--so
there!'
The stroke was effectual. Harvey Munden stood as if transfixed, but he
recovered himself before a word escaped his lips.
'Ah, that alters the case. I beg your pardon. You won't make trouble
between old friends?'
Vanity disarmed the girl's misgiving. She grinned with satisfaction.
'That depends how you behave.'
'Oh, you don't know me. But promise, now; not a word to Shergold.'
She gave a conditional promise, and stood radiant with her triumph.
'Thanks, that's very good of you. Well, I won't trouble to leave a note.
You shall just tell Shergold that I am leaving England to-morrow for a
holiday.
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