The Mission of Poubalov — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

162 THE LITTLE FRONT ROOM. sistance, but he took her arm in his, caught up her h bag, and helped her to the platform, in spite of he Still suffering from the shock, she realized by the elc contact with him how masterful was his influence, anc how by force of character alone he must accomplish quite as much in his unattractive employment as by intrigu and deceit. | “TI thank you,’’ she said faintly when she stood upo! the platform; ‘‘I can goalone quite well now. Ic tell you how glad I am that you escaped. I should his felt guilty if anything serious had happened, and I fee to blame for what has occurred.’’ ‘*You mustn't borrow trouble that way, Miss Hilman,” he responded, gallantly; ‘‘the sanest man might well leay to folly if he imagined that you wished him to.”’ : ‘It pains me to have you make light of it,’’ said Cla ‘‘T assure you that I have quite recovered.”’ ‘You will permit me to hand you to a carriage, XN Hilman? I will not intrude further, believe me.’’ She nodded assent, and they were about to proceed the platform when Poubalov stepped squarely in front ¢ her. ‘*Pardon me,’’ he said earnestly, ‘‘if Ido not go as f even as the carriage. I have not yet had opportunity to say what I called to tell you about Wednesday evening, ¢ to explain why I left your house so abruptly and inform ally. Ishall call to-morrow to complete my errand. I do not ask your permission to call, as what I would say is ir portant, and you will want to hear it. This way, cabby take care of this lady. Till to-morrow, Miss Hilman.” He had moved about slightly as he spokeand now dz away with quick strides. By standing in front of her moving as he did, he had completely concealed from view the driver, Billings, who was walking rapidly dow the platform and who passed close by them. Mystified as usual by his strange conduct, but reliever that he was gone, Clara followed the cabman and in due time arrived safely at home. She went to bed at JTICe € com cboo KS. CC ¥ tor