There were no traces of dreaminess in the brown eyes at this moment; the
dilated pupil gave to them an appearance of extraordinary depth and
intensity; it was easy to see that the lad had been swept off his feet
by the rugged force of the speaker's words, and was kindled into a like
enthusiasm.
Lads of nineteen and twenty make it so much a matter of principle to
suppress all exhibition of feeling, that it is almost startling to come
across one who is not ashamed to betray a little human emotion. Mr
Elgood evidently found it so, for he continued to cast those quick
peering glances until the inn was reached, and the little party
separated, to prepare for the midday dinner.
Margot walked slowly up the steep staircase leading to her room, and sat
herself down on the bed to think out the problem. More and more did she
long to pierce through the armour by which the strange, silent man was
enveloped; but how was it to be done? Opportunities were few and far
between, and now, for the first time in her life, confidence in her own
powers deserted her, and she was overcome by a strange new feeling of
humility and doubt. Who and what was she, that such a man should stoop
to accept her friendship; poor, unlettered girl that she was, while he
was acknowledged as one of the leading intellects of the day? Yet deep
in her heart the thought lingered that between this man and herself
existed a certain affinity, which, given an opportunity, might bridge
over greater gaps than that of intellect and learning. How was that
opportunity to be gained? She might be willing to sacrifice much to
attain it, but there was one thing that could never be thrown on one
side--her natural maidenly pride and dignity! Not even for Ron's sake
could she bring herself to make advances to a man who, so far from
exhibiting any desire for her company, had gone markedly out of his way
to avoid it.
Ron himself was useless in such circumstances, a creature of moods,
living for the moment only, content to forget the future in the
enjoyment of present good. To drive him into the Editor's company
against his will could do no good, since he would certainly reveal
himself in his worst light, and in aggravating, topsy-turvy fashion he
had taken a violent fancy for the wrong brother.
The Chieftain's geniality and candour, his boy-like lightness of heart
on the one hand, his passion for right on the other, were fast
developing a species of hero-worship in the lad's mind. Margot foresaw
that, as time passed by, the two would grow closer together, and that
any chance of intimacy with the other brother would retreat helplessly
into the background. Unless--! Her face flamed as a possible solution
of the difficulty darted suddenly into her mind. Could she? Dared she
risk it? Yes, she could. It would be difficult, but she could bring
herself to face it, if after a few days' consideration it still seemed
the only way out of the difficulty.