human
; and when at length she was ready she gazed gloomily into the mirror. Last night she had not been so bad in evening dress; but now in the cheap, ready-made brown velveteen coat and skirt and plain toque to match, which had been her
gpt
The first thing I do, when he's had time to look me over, must be to tell him he's free if he wants his freedom, she decided. And she kept her word, when in the half-deserted foyer she had shaken hands with a young man who wore a white rose in his buttonhole.
human
Please tell me frankly if you don't like me as well by daylight,
gpt
I like you better, he said.
human
You're still my white rose. See, I've adopted it as your symbol. I shall never wear any other flower on my coat. This is yours. No, it's _you_! And I've kept the one I took last night. I mean to keep it always. No danger of _my_ changing my mind! But you? I've lain awake worrying for fear you might.
gpt
The Countess didn't warn you off me?
human
Of course not! Why, you told me you were old friends!
gpt
So we are--as friends go in this world: 'pals,' anyhow. She's done me several good turns, and I've paid her. She'd always do what she could to help, for her own sake as well as mine. But her idea of a man may be different from yours.
human
She wasn't with me long, explained Annesley.
gpt
She said I needed sleep. After she'd looked at my room to see if it were comfortable, she bade me 'good-night,' and we haven't met this morning. The few remarks she did make about you were complimentary.
human
What did she say? I'm curious.
gpt
Well, if you must know, she said that you were a man few women could resist; and--she didn't blame _me_.
human
H'm! You call that complimentary? Let's suppose she meant it so. Now we'll have breakfast, and forget her--unless you'd like her called to go with us on a shopping expedition I've set my heart on.
gpt
What kind of a shopping expedition?
human
To buy you all the pretty things you've ever wished for.
gpt
To do that would cost a fortune!
human
Then we'll spend a fortune. Shall you and I do it ourselves, or would you like to have the Countess de Santiago's taste?
gpt
Oh, let us go without her, Annesley exclaimed,
human
Rather _not_. I want you to myself. You darling! We'll have a great day--spending that fortune. The next thing we do--it can wait till after we're married--is to look for a house in a good neighbourhood, to rent furnished. But we'll get your swell cousins, Lord and Lady Annesley-Seton, to help us choose. Perhaps there'll be something near them.
gpt
Why, they hardly know I exist! I doubt if Lady Annesley-Seton _does_ know, replied the girl.
human
They'll do nothing to help us, I'm sure.
gpt
Then _don't_ be sure, because if you made a bet you'd lose. Take my word, they'll be pleased to remember a cousin who is marrying a millionaire.
human
Good gracious! gasped Annesley.