Page:The little blue devil (IA littlebluedevil00mackiala).pdf/319

that, and she trusted him . . . and they were going to love each other very much indeed. . . .

Mrs. Taylor had not yet come back, and Pamela awaited her return a little nervously. She would leave the bulk of the necessary explanations to Tony, but she must say something herself. She plunged into her story the moment Mrs. Taylor arrived, anxious to explain that she could not now accept a situation as governess before Mrs. Taylor—as the poor child fully expected—should announce that her sister’s plans were altered.

“Oh, Mrs. Taylor, I—I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, Miss Learmonth?” Her tone was frigid.

“I—when I was out this morning I met a cousin. I—we are going to be married.”

“Oh!” A pause. Pamela was scarlet. Mrs. Taylor mentally revolved some majestic phrases: “Then you will no longer require my protection,” or, “Then there is nothing further to be said but good-bye,” but the shy, sensitive face suddenly melted her, and she merely said, “I did not know you had any relations in Brisbane.”

“I didn’t know, either. It was a great surprise—to both of us. He—he is coming to explain to you, and—to thank you. And I won’t be any further bother to you.”

“He is in a position to marry you at once, then?”

“Yes. He———” She stopped abruptly.

“What does he do?”

“He———” Another brief pause. What could she answer? It was no use saying “He is a chauffeur.” . . . “He is a clever mechanic,” she said at last, immensely proud of such a brilliant way out of the difficulty.

“Well, I hope you will be happy,” Mrs. Taylor said, a little stiffly. She seemed inclined to add something else, but Pamela made her escape then, and fled back to the