"
Arthur assented, as he would have been glad to assent to anything
likely to prolong the interview, and they walked off slowly together,
talking as cheerfully as a sense that the conversation must soon come
to an end would allow. The spot was reached all too soon, and Angela
with evident reluctance, for she was not accustomed to conceal her
feelings, said that she must now go.
"Why must you go so soon?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, to-day is my birthday--I am twenty
to-day--and I know that Pigott, my old nurse, means to give me a
little present at breakfast, and she will be dreadfully disappointed
if I am late. She has been thinking a great deal about it, you see."
"May I wish you many, very many, happy returns of the day? and"--with
a little hesitation--"may I also offer you a present, a very worthless
one I fear?"
"How can I----" stammered Angela, when he cut her short.
"Don't be afraid; it is nothing tangible, though it is something that
you may not think worth accepting."
"What do you mean?" she said bluntly, for her interest was aroused.
"Don't be angry. My present is only the offer of myself as your
sincere friend.
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