Ah, well, she need never think
of such things again, for never again could any one have an insulting
thought about her; and as for her fear that Lloyd would not want her
to leave Old Chester--why, he would take her away himself! And once
outside of Old Chester, she would have a place in the world like other
women. She was conscious of a sudden and passionate elation: _Like
other women._ The very words were triumphant! Yes; like that
dreadful Mrs. King; oh, how intolerably stupid the woman was, how she
disliked her; but when Lloyd came and they went away together, she
would be like Mrs. King! She drew an exultant breath and smiled
proudly in the darkness. For the moment the cowering fear was
forgotten....How soon could he come? He ought to have the telegram by
ten the next morning--too late to catch the express for Mercer. He
would take the night train, and arrive at noon on Saturday. A day and
a half to wait. And at that she realized with sudden astonishment that
it was still Thursday. It seemed hours and hours since she had read
that telegram. Yet it was scarcely an hour ago that she had been
dancing the Virginia reel with those terrible people! A little later
she had noticed William King lingering behind the departing guests;
how annoyed she had been at his slowness. Then he had taken that
envelope out of his pocket--she gasped again, remembering the shock of
its contents.
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