“What?” Michael laughed incredulously. “You’re imagining things. I know how he used to pretend in a kidding way—”
“It wasn’t kidding,” she interrupted, “not underneath. It began that way—and it ended by his asking me to run away with him.”
Michael frowned.
“Go on,” he said quietly. “I suppose this is true or you wouldn’t be telling me about it—but it simply doesn’t seem real. Did he just suddenly begin to—to—”
He closed his mouth suddenly, unable to say the words.
“It began one night when we three were out dancing,” Marion hesitated. “And at first I thoroughly enjoyed it. He had a faculty for noticing things—noticing dresses and hats and the new ways I’d do my hair. He was good company. He could always make me feel important, somehow, and attractive. Don’t get the idea that I preferre
