CHAPTER XLII. BREAKING THE ICE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 365, 4 May 1889, Page 6

CHAPTER XLII. BREAKING THE ICE.

Ox the following day, a lifctle before Uio hour appointed for Mr Denver's arri\ al, Mis Shepperton produced a smaib s-atin teagown from the recesses of her waul robe, and insisted upon Dulc c iirimediatety arraying her person therein. ' What on eai th does ib matter, mamma, how 1 look ?' she protested rebelliously. ' Matter?' replied Mrs Shepperton. 'Of course ib matters. Ib matters very much indeed.' ' Mamma,' said Dulcie, nervously, 'will you grant me a favour? Will you promise bo stop in bhe room all the while V Mrs Shepperton laughed outright at thih demand. ' Nonsense ! Of course you and Mr Denver must be left by youi selves. Besides, tthen you aro going to livo with a man all your life, it's really too lidiculous baking fright at the idea of being alone with him for a quarter of an hour.' Seeing further solicitations were bub so much wasted breath, Dulcic relapsed into silence. She could not explain why she so dreaded this firfb interview. Perhaps she rememborcd the scene that had occurred in the garden, and feared demonstrations of affection trom which &he could only shrink with horror. She sab painfully awaiting the arrival of her betrothed, and schooling herself to behave with a decent show of civility. An imperative knock at the door, followed by Mr Denver's immediate entry, put a stop bo her meditations. He had nob seen her since her illnesa, nnd, although Mrs Shepperbon had warned him bhat he must expect to find a great change, he was shocked ab the terribly fragile appearance she presented. He remained in total ignorance of the means by which the girl's submission had been bi ought about, and, imagining ib was voluntary, advanced towards her, with all the alacrity of an ardent and confident lover, intent upon a first embrace. But she, a? it anticipabing some such intention on his part, and determined to forestall ib, pub out her hand with a hasty detaining gesture, and said coldly : * How do you do, Mr Denver ?' This frigid reception succeeded in placing an unwelcome check on his spirits. Ho drew back a step or two, seated himself ab tolerably respectful distance, and said : ' I wish you would not call mo Mr Denver. Ib sounds so horribly formal.' ' What other name would you have me employ V •Oh ! I don'b know. Donnis, or '- with a somewhat; lamo abtempb at jocularity — ' Denny. You may take your choice.'

could control hor actions, and so long as &he acknowledged the fact, ho could afford to smile at trifles. 'Come, Dulcie,' he said, feeling more amiably inclined, ' don't let us squabble, and, since you wan^ to wear a ring, wear my own instead !' So saying, he slipped the slender circlet over her small white finger, where its brilliantstoncs flashed and sparkled, reflecting the quivering light of the firo.