"Who's rude now?" he asked, with a grin. "I was going to say, when you
interrupted me, that if you came out with the luncheon party, I should
have the opportunity of a lesson in--in deportment and manners. See?"
"I shouldn't think of coming," she declared promptly.
"Oh, yes, you will," he said teasingly, and with an air of conviction.
"Women always do what they wouldn't think of doing."
"Really!" she retorted, with mock indignation. "There is only one thing
I can do, and it is my duty. I shall tell your sister----Oh, look!" she
broke off suddenly, and with something like dismay in her voice, as she
pointed downward.
Dick leaned over, and saw Nell, sitting on an old oak bench just below
them. She was leaning back; her eyes were closed, and her face white.
"Oh, go to her; she is not well. I am so sorry! Go to her at once!"
Dick ran down the stairs, and the girl followed a step or two, then
stood watching them timidly.
"Hallo, Nell! What's the matter?" asked Dick.
She opened her eyes and rose instantly, struggling with all a woman's
courage beating in her heart to renew the fight, to play her part to the
end of that never--never-ending night.
"Nothing, nothing. I am just a little tired, I think."
At this moment Drake came up.
"This is my dance, Nell," he said. His face, his voice were grave, for
his soul was still disquieted within him. "I have been looking for
you----"
He stopped suddenly and put out his hand, for her face had grown white
again. She had raised her eyes to his for a moment with the look of a
dumb animal in pain; but she lowered them instantly and bent aside to
take up her dress.
"I am tired," she said, forcing a smile. "The heat--could we not go
home? I--I mean, Dick and I--there is no need for you----"
"Yes, yes; at once; this instant!" he said. "Wait while I get you some
water--wait----"
He went off quickly, and Nell turned to Dick.
"Will you order the fly, Dick?" she said, in a tone that was quite new
to him.
It was, though the boy did not know it, the voice of the woman who has
just parted with her girlhood.
"Don't wait, please. I shall be all right."
Dick left her, and Miss Angel came down to her timidly.