Rose of the World

urned and stared from her aunt to Major Bethune and back again. Lady Gerardine's eyes were cast down, her hands were moving among the tea-things: it would have been hard

ve that Aspasia could have s

lids. "I did not know that people were so particular nowadays." She paused. A

to have forgotten that he and I went through that siege together. I was wi

breath had suddenly failed her; then she l

ough the siege—till—I had n

d: things were passing here to the meaning of which she had no cl

Lady Gera

nd she stretched out her hand to him. "Write his life

nto her chair again, then turned and smiled determinedly upon her niece with the air of one dismissing the subject.

d," he said. "I cannot do this work

he

ure of patience and irritation—"but you see, that without the papers in your

ion!" She echoed the word

notes, his whole correspondence—I brought them all back and sent them to you myself—afterwards. And you, you d

rushed up to her face, then faded away, leaving it paler even than before. Her stricken look

ou these papers?" she

one endeavouring to make a fractious child he

of intruding upon his private life, now—now that he is dead. God forbid! But I want you to help, I want you to give me every necessary extract which concerns his soldier's life—that life which was such an example to all Englishmen—which I feel it should be g

could so love and mourn a friend. Lady Gerardine had leant back in her chair, her hands clasping the arms. Bethune saw her revolving the qu

impos

could not have

your

impos

Gerard

what you are as

derstand. The matter is so simpl

o—

ed. Indignation was even

e repeated. And the cry of passion in her

, his steel-pale eyes flaming upon the woman whom his

d he at length, as soon as he could c

reply. She was still fixing him with that

hen bowed and turned away. At the door he halted. "But perhaps you

ndom shaft of his had fallen wide of the mark; that, whatever m

e whole situation, he strode down the long corridors into the cool echoing hal

e nipped him by the sleeve with determined fingers. He looked, and it was Miss Aspasia. Her hazel eyes were rounder

nt Rosamond. Perhaps sh

eeled

he asked, "of the rea

that the halo danced again. She pu

, "you see, we never speak of Aunt's first husband here. At least she never does. There is no picture of him about,

his own preoccupation and disappointment he could not, however, help being struck with the engaging quality o

train of thought: "Perhaps it is because of your uncle, of Sir Arthur?" he suggested. "Lady Gerardine may be afraid of annoy

nly creature who ever does speak of Captain English in this place. Poor Runkle, he's so awfully

that could put Lady Gerardine's behaviour in a favourable light. "Do you think," he sa

flew from side to sid

uld seem such horrible impertinence. I cannot explain, Major Bethune, but I never feel as if I knew

his hand to her, with that softening of the count

e," said he. It was worded as a request

d up and met his eyes. Then—she never knew how it happen

ill

d, or cared, for the white-clad, dusky-faced retinue that stood like so many statues awaiting the moment to proffer their s

*

somethi

, but there was no other trace of emotion to be seen. Instead of obeying, Aspasia, with her promise heavy on her heart and all the

d and kissed; then she looked up. Lady Gerardine smile

e girl. True child as she was, she could think of no better sc

the Governor's

you married the Runkle, six years ago. So," triumphantly, "you are tw

rardine

und to kneel and place her elbows on her aunt's knees wh

't I wha

those papers. Dear Aunt Rosamond

either anger nor distress; only a marble stillness seemed to come over the l

te finality in her voice. Then she leaned forward and kissed her niece. Th

rritation that Major Bethune had displayed a little while

work off some of her pent-up feelings. As she played she set her pointed chin; and, while he

etermined too. It is not fair of Aun

"Bach" with a t

"I like your music, Baby. It is