Rosa Mundi and Other Stories

veranda still hand-in

chairs outside the drawing-room window. They were empty.

ring. "I will co

He passed on quietly, and she stood inside the room, waiting

last she caught the sound of Baring's voice, curt and peremptory, and her heart stood still. But he was only s

ow alone. Hope drew a great breath of relief and

purple scar of a sword-cut down one cheek, told her nothing. Only she fanc

to her and laid his

looking down at her with keen blue eye

instantly, unable

ngly, "please don't ask me!

to laugh at you," he

can't. It was so silly of me to be frightened. I am

om her shoulder; and she knew suddenly th

aid. "Whatever it was, it's

very weak. Baring went to the window and stood there for some seconds, with his back to her. She noted his height and breadth of shoulder with a faint sense of pleasure

length and seated him

r uncle expect to

ook he

come back to-morrow, o

ack brows d

e asked. She sho

so condemnatory that she felt herself

has to travel because of his book. I always knew that, so I really can't complai

and for the first time

sig

fault," she said hu

is iniquitous that a girl like you should be left in such a pl

oked st

ad, I should never dare to

d at her, st

re braver than

ed vividly

serable coward, Major Baring. But no one knows it but you

did not

knows it?"

y. She was evidently reso

atter, does i

nd again she had a feeli

abruptly, he began to talk upon ordinary topics, and at once she felt more at her ease with him. They sat by the wind

orm and colouring, but it went no farther. In expression they differed utterly. The boy's face lacked the level-browed honesty that was so conspicuous in the girl's. His mouth was irresolute

ide the room, blinking, as if the light dazzled him. Baring gave him a sin

upon his face; and a rush of indignation che

his words sounded rather slur

you are! Don't get up!

o replied instantly, an

m sure yo

put his hand to his

d tone of shame. "I thought it was Hyde. The li

iberately; and, as by a single flash of revelat

erently so, before that night, but she had never seen him like this. She had never imagi

r. She looked from Ronnie to Ronnie's major with a sor

th your brother?" he said quietly. "I

obeyed it mutely, almost mechanically. He opened the door