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Read Ebook: As Other Men Are by Yates Dornford
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Ebook has 3063 lines and 87998 words, and 62 pages
"I'm still unmarried," she said.
"That," said Jeremy Broke, "is your little fault. At least, Rumour has it that you've turned a good many down."
"Rumour is wrong," said Eve. "I admit I've had one or two overtures, but the idea of being married for my money never appealed to me."
"Here," said Eve. "Don't cut out the gilt. There was the making of a compliment. Besides, I value your opinion. What is my face like, Jeremy?"
The man regarded her.
"It's not like anything I've ever seen," he said.
"My mouth," said Eve, "is too large."
"No, it isn't," said Broke. "It's just perfect. So's your nose, an'--an' the rest. That's why it seems so wicked to cut your hair."
"Was it my face that attracted you--last year?"
The man considered.
"Your face and your pretty ways."
"You just felt you wanted to know me?"
"Yes."
Eve sighed.
"Well, you've had your wish," she said. "I mean, you've got to know me pretty well."
"You've been very sweet," said Jeremy.
"I'm not engaged yet."
"That's your little fault," said Eve. "I could mention several ladies who have put their arms round your neck--certainly figuratively and, for all I know, literally."
"Rot"--incredulously.
"My dear, I've seen it going on. Don't be afraid--I'm not going to mention names."
"But I've no money."
"What does that matter? They have."
"How dare you say such a thing?"
Eve was on her feet. Her brown eyes were flaming, and there was wrath in her voice.
Slowly Jeremy rose.
"How dare you speak like that? It's cheap and paltry and it's a wicked lie. D'you think I'd give my friendship to--to a stray cur?"
"You have," said Broke. "I've seen you. Down on the Portsmouth Road. His blood was all over your dress, and he died in your arms."
Instinctively he put out his arms, and the girl slipped into them. . . . He held her gently enough, comforting her, patting her shoulder, talking in steady tones of bygone days and gilding the future with a laughing tongue. . . .
After a little, Eve had herself in hand.
As he released her--
"Let's--sit--down," she said jerkily.
They sat down together, and she slid an arm through his.
"Listen," she whispered. "I can't talk loud, because I shall cry if I do. Listen to me. I'll tell you the name of one woman who's put her arms round your neck. She's done it for nearly a year--not very glaringly until to-night. Her name's Eve. . . . Eve Malory Carew." His fists clenched, Jeremy sat like a rock. The girl continued tremulously. "I've given you opening after opening. I've put the very words into your mouth. I've given myself away. I've asked and pleaded and begged. I've done what I've never done in all my life, what I never dreamed I should do--sunk pride, vanity, self-respect . . . to--make--you--speak. . . . I'm not good at 'the arts,' but I've used them all to-night. I gave you my profile, stared, tried to get my soul into my voice. I didn't cry to make you take me in your arms--that was a piece of sheer luck. But I did everything else. . . . Well, there you are. I've failed. And now I want to know one thing. There's only one answer you can give me, but from the way you give it I shall be able to tell if you're speaking the truth. Do you love me, Jeremy?"
The man laughed.
"You know I've been mad about you for just one year."
Eve sighed very happily.
"And I'm quite silly about you," she said. "I started dreaming about you months ago. But I think up to now I've behaved all right, haven't I?"
"Perfectly," said Broke.
Eve squeezed his arm.
"I'm glad of that. And now suppose you kissed me. Or d'you think I ought to kiss you?"
Suddenly she was in his arms, blushing and breathless.
He kissed her lips.
"I'm very happy," said Eve. "I hope you are."
Broke picked her up in his arms.
"You wicked child," he said.
"Witch, princess, child," said Eve, with an arm round his neck. "Which will you marry?"
"The child," said Jeremy Broke.
"That's right," said Eve. "The others have served their turn. The stick to persuade you to jump: the sceptre to dazzle your vision." She fell to stroking his hair. "I'm really more of an artist than I thought. Looking back, I wonder I had the courage to be so indecent. Of course, I was desperate. Still . . ."
"It is the prerogative of royalty."
Eve made a maddening mouth.
"Diplomat!" she said. Then--"As a matter of fact, stacks of us do it all the time, darling. But I never thought I should."
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