The Branding Iron - Page 74/142

He bowed and spoke as he would have spoken to a great lady, suavely,

deferentially.

"Good-night. I wish I could think that you have enjoyed our talk as

greatly as I have, Miss Jane. I should very much like to be allowed to

repeat it. May I be stupidly personal and tell you that you are very

beautiful?" He bowed, gave her an upward look and went out, finding

his way cleverly among the dancers.

Outside, in the moonlit court, he stood, threw back his head and

laughed, not loudly but consumedly. He was remembering her white face

of mute astonishment. She looked almost as if his compliment had given

her sharp pain.

Morena went laughing to his room in the opposite wing. He wanted to

describe the interview to his wife.