"And philosophical blacksmiths, Peter?"
"More so if they be poor blacksmiths."
"I said 'philosophical,' Peter."
"You probably find your situation horribly lonely here?" I went
on after a pause.
"Yes; it's nice and lonely, Peter."
"And, undoubtedly, this cottage is very poor and mean, and--er
--humble?" Charmian smiled and shook her head.
"But then, Charmian Brown is a very humble person, sir."
"And you haven't even the luxury of a mirror to dress your hair by!"
"Is it so very clumsily dressed, sir?"
"No, no," said I hastily, "indeed I was thinking--"
"Well, Peter?"
"That it was very--beautiful!"
"Why, you told me that last night--come, what do you think of it
this morning?"
"With those leaves in it--it is--even more so!"
Charmian laughed, and, rising, swept me a stately curtesy.
"After all, sir, we find there be exceptions to every rule!"
"You mean?"
"Even blacksmiths!"
And in a while, having finished my breakfast, I rose, and, taking
my hat, bade Charmian "Good morning," and so came to the door.
But on the threshold I turned and looked back at her. She had
risen, and stood leaning with one hand on the table; now in the
other she held the breadknife, and her eyes were upon mine.
And lo! wonder of wonders! once again, but this time sudden and
swift--up from the round, full column of her throat, up over
cheek and brow there rushed that vivid tide of color; her eyes
grew suddenly deep and soft, and then were hidden 'neath her
lashes--and, in that same moment, the knife slipped from her
grasp, and falling, point downwards, stood quivering in the floor
between us--an ugly thing that gleamed evilly.
Was this an omen--a sign vouchsafed of that which, dark and
terrible, was, even then, marching to meet us upon this Broad
Highway? O Blind, and more than blind!
Almost before it had ceased to quiver I stooped, and, plucking it
from the floor, gave it into her hand. Now, as I did so, her
fingers touched mine, and, moved by a sudden mad impulse, I
stooped and pressed my lips upon them--kissed them quick and
fierce, and so turned, and hurried upon my way.
Yet, as I went, I found that the knife had cut my chin, and that
I was bleeding.
O Blind, and more than blind! Surely this was a warning, an omen
to heed--to shiver over, despite the warm sun!