"
Hermione's violent, almost furious agitation was audible in her voice.
"I should never wish to hurt Vere--you know that."
His voice sounded as if he were deeply moved.
"I must-- Vere! Vere!"
She moved towards the house. But Artois stepped forward swiftly, laid
a hand on her arm, and stopped her.
"No, leave Vere alone to-night."
"Why?"
"She wishes to be alone to-night."
"But I find her here with you."
There was a harsh bitterness of suspicion, of doubt, in her tone that
he ought surely to have resented. But he did not resent it.
"I was sitting on the terrace," he said, gently. "Vere came in from
the garden. Naturally she stayed to entertain me till you were here."
"And directly I come she rushes away into the house!"
"Perhaps there was--something may have occurred to upset her."
"What was it?"
Her voice was imperious.
"You must tell me what it was!" she said, as he was silent.
"Hermione, my friend, let us sit down. Let us at any rate be with each
other as we always have been--till now.
Pages:
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776