Adonis seemed to understand the situation,
and whispered to his companion:
"Stay. They'll be gone in a moment." He drew her farther back into
the shadows.
"If you don't take me home," continued the girl in the cedar cave,
"I'll ask some one else to. I certainly shall not stay until supper
and have to unmask. I dare not."
"Just as you like," was the cool response.
"And I risked it all for you--spoiled my entire evening. I'll know
better next time!"
"Well, I'm going to make it up to you," said her companion.
There was a movement of the cedars, and two figures emerged from
amid the trees. They crossed the path. They were Antonio and the
nun.
Rosebud drew Adonis farther back from the path. The others passed
on without seeing them and at once began talking gaily, as if they
had been merrymaking with the rest but Rosebud and Adonis detected
the false note in their laughter. Adonis pressed the little warm
hand on his sleeve.
"Do you know them?" he asked.
"I--suspect them," she replied.
"So do I," he almost gasped, "and with good reason. I have just
found something in my pocket."
"In your pocket?"
"Yes, quite a bulky package. I did not notice it until this
moment.
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