"
"I trust my next visit will find you better. Good-by, Miss Goodwin! I
shall send your mother up."
[Illustration: PAGE 697-- One long, dark, inexplicable gaze]
He withdrew very much after the etiquette of a subject leaving a crowned
head--that is, nearly backwards; but when he came to the door he paused
a moment, turning upon her one long, dark, inexplicable gaze, whilst
the muscles of his hard, stony mouth were drawn back with a smile
that contained in its expression a spirit that might be considered
complacent, but which Alice interpreted as derisive and diabolical.
"Mamma," said she, when her mother joined her, "I am ill, and I know not
what to do."
"I know you are not well, my love," replied her mother, "but I hope
you're not worse; how do you feel?"
"Quite feeble, utterly without strength, and dreadfully depressed and
alarmed."
"Alarmed, Alley! Why, what could alarm you? Does not Mr. Woodward always
conduct himself as a gentleman?"
"He does, ma'am; but, nevertheless, I never wish to see him again."
"Why, dear me! Alice, is it reasonable that you should give way to such
a prejudice against that gentleman? Indeed I believe you absolutely hate
him.
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