In Sight of St. Paul's — page 93: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

88 HEART TO HEART. lutions she had made to maintain her self-control, that Aileen replied: ‘They had gone for a walk when Mr. Fletcher sent and said, ‘Come at once. I have found Tom.’ So—so,’’ faltering despite herself, “‘as they were out, I—I came at once, but I left a message.”’ Now Gillie Fletcher, in spite of all his nonsense and love of fun, had a pretty level head upon his shoulders, and he realized that, at this stage of the game, his presence was not desired. ‘All right,’’ he said. ‘SI know where Gracie—I mean they always take their walks—I’ll soon find them. Good-by. I’m off!’ Aileen had crossed to the fire-place, and, with one foot upon the fender, was gazing down into the coals, determined at all costs not to betray how deeply this meeting, after so long an interval, with the man slie loved but who she believed did not love her save with a brotherly affection, had affected her. Tom, after a glance at the graceful figure, whose back was toward him, crossed hurriedly to Fletcher, intercepting him before he could leave the room. ‘‘One word, Gillie,’’ he said, in a smothered whis- per. ‘‘Is—is Aileen my brother’s wife ?’? “No,”’ replied Fletcher, smiling, but in an equally ouarded way, ‘‘nor likely to be.”’ Tom turned white, and then the blood rushed hotly into his face, dyeing it crimson from chin to forehead. Eomicbooks: co nm