Alpha Book

So, when she discovered
that he could sit up and beg and roll over at a nod, she let him follow
her; and since then he had become indispensable and had curled up on
many a soft and silken knee, and had sought and fetched and carried for
many a pretty woman what she herself did not care to touch, even with
white-gloved fingers.
What had she expected when she married him? Only innocent ignorance of
the set he ornamented could account for the horror of her disillusion.
What splendours had she dreamed of from the outside? What flashing and
infernal signal had beckoned her to enter? What mute eyes had promised?
What silent smile invited? All skulls seem to grin; but the world has
yet to hear them laugh.
* * * * *
"Philip?"
"Yes, Alixe."
"I did my best, w-without offending Gerald. Can you believe me?"
"I know you did. . . . Don't mind what I said--"
"N-no, not now. . . . You do believe me, don't you?"
"Yes, I do."
"Thank you.


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