Jack, you must keep him away
from me."
She was quite agitated; and it was one more tribute to the President's
powers that he should exert so strange an influence over such a
nature. I was burning to ask her more about herself and the President,
but I could not while she was distressed. And when I had comforted
her, she resolutely declined to return to the subject.
"No, go away now," she said. "Think how we are to checkmate our two
Presidents. And, Jack! whatever happens, I got you back the money.
I've done you some good. So be kind to me. I'm not very much afraid of
your heart breaking. In fact, Jack, we are neither of us good young
people. No, no; be quiet and go away. You have plenty of useful things
to occupy your time."
At last I accepted my dismissal and walked off, my happiness
considerably damped by the awkward predicament in which we stood.
Clearly McGregor meant business; and at this moment McGregor was
all-powerful. If he kept the reins, I should lose my love. If the
President came back, a worse fate still threatened. Supposing it were
possible to carry off the signorina, which I doubted very much, where
were we to go to! And would she come?
On the whole, I did not think she would come.
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