Page:Love and Mr. Lewisham – Wells (1899).djvu/322

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310
LOVE AND MR. LEWISHAM

tion of the conflict that had been waged so long. Hesitations were at an end;—he took his line.

Next day he wrote a note and two mornings later he started for his mathematical duffers an hour before it was absolutely necessary, and instead of going directly to Vigours', went over the bridge to Battersea Park. There waiting for him by a seat where once they had met before, he found Miss Heydinger pacing. They walked up and down side by side, speaking for a little while about indifferent topics, and then they came upon a pause . . .

"You have something to tell me?" said Miss Heydinger abruptly.

Lewisham changed colour a little. "Oh yes," he said; "the fact is—." He affected ease. "Did I ever tell you I was married?"

"Married?"

"Yes."

"Married!"

"Yes," a little testily.

For a moment neither spoke. Lewisham stood without dignity staring at the dahlias of the London County Council, and Miss Heydinger stood regarding him.

"And that is what you have to tell me?"

"Mr. Lewisham turned and met her eyes. "Yes!" he said. "That is what I have to tell you."