The secret adversary by Christie Agatha 1890-1976

Author:Christie, Agatha, 1890-1976
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Beresford, Tuppence (Fictitious character), Beresford, Tommy (Fictitious character), Private investigators, Married people, Large type books
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : G.K. Hall
Published: 1988-03-09T05:00:00+00:00

"What about marriage ?" inquired Julius. "Got any views on the subject?"

"I intend to marry, of course," replied Tuppence. "That is, if—she paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then stuck to her guns bravely—"I can find some one rich enough to make it worth my while. That's frank, isn't it? I dare say you despise me for it."

"I never despise business instinct," said Julius. ••What particular figure have you in mind?"

"Figure?" asked Tuppence, puzzled. "Do you mean tall or short ?"

"No. Sum—income."

"Oh, I—I haven't quite worked that out."

"What about me?"

"You?"

"Sure thing."

"Oh, I couldn't!"

"Why not?"

"I tell you I couldn't."

"Again, why not?"

"It would seem so unfair."

"I don't see anything unfair about it. I call your bluff, that's all. I admire you immensely, Miss Tuppence, more than any girl I've ever met. You're so darned plucky. I'd just love to give you a real, rattling good time. Say the word, and we'll run round right away to some high-class jeweller, and fix up the ring business."

"I can't," gasped Tuppence.

"Because of Beresford?"

THE SECRET ADVERSARY

"No, no, no!"

"Well then?"

Tuppence merely continued to shake her head tio-lently.

"You can't reasonably expect more dollars than I've got."

"Oh, it isn't that," gasped Tuppence with an almost hysterical laugh. "But thanking you very much, and all that, I think I'd better say no,"

"I'd be obliged if you'd do me the favour to think it over until to-morrow."

"It's no use."

"Still, I guess we'll leave it like that,"

"Very well," said Tuppence meekly.

Neither of them spoke again until they reached the

TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL 173

gled for self-control, and then abandoning all pretence, she held it to her lips and burst into a fit of sobbing.

"Oh, Tommy, Tommy," she cried, "I do love you so—and I may never see you again. . • •"

At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and pushed back her hair.

"That's that," she observed sternly. "Let's look facts in the face. I seem to have fallen in love—with an idiot of a boy who probably doesn't care two straws about me." Here she paused. "Anyway," she resumed, as though arguing with an unseen opponent, "I don't know that he does. He'd never have dared to say so. I've always jumped on sentiment—and here I am being more sentimental than anybody. What idiots girls are! I've always thought so. I suppose I shall sleep with his photograph under my pillow, and dream about him all night. It's dreadful to feel you've been false to your principles."

Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding.

"I don't know what to say to Julius, Pm sure. Oh, what a fool I feel! Ill have to say $omething —he's so American and thorough, hell insist upon having a reason. I wonder if he did find anything in that safe "

Tuppence's meditations went off on another tack. She reviewed the events of last night carefully and persistently. Somehow, they seemed bound up with Sir James's enigmatical words. • • •

Suddenly she gave a great start—the colour faded out of her face.

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