第240章 MR. LISMORE AND THE WIDOW.(11)

She pointed to her card on the writing-table. "Will you come to me to-morrow evening at that address? I am like the gentleman who has just called; I, too, have my reason for wishing to see you."He gladly accepted the invitation. Mrs. Callender stopped him as he opened the door for her.

"Shall I offend you," she said, "if I ask a strange question before I go? I have a better motive, mind, than mere curiosity.

Are you married?"

"No."

"Forgive me again," she resumed. "At my age, you cannot possibly misunderstand me; and yet--"She hesitated. Mr. Lismore tried to give her confidence. "Pray don't stand on ceremony, Mrs. Callender. Nothing that _you_ can ask me need be prefaced by an apology."Thus encouraged, she ventured to proceed.

"You may be engaged to be married?" she suggested. "Or you may be in love?"He found it impossible to conceal his surprise. But he answered without hesitation.

"There is no such bright prospect in _my_ life," he said. "I am not even in love."She left him with a little sigh. It sounded like a sigh of relief.