Part 23 (1/2)

”Oh, the aerophone, I think; I don't remember.”

”That must be a story,” he said, laughing. ”I always remember Layard's conversation for longer than I want; it has a knack of impressing itself upon me. What was it? Cemetery land, church debts, the new drainage scheme, or something equally entrancing and confidential?”

Under this cross-examination Stella grew desperate, unnecessarily, perhaps, and said in a voice that was almost cross:

”I cannot tell you; please let's talk of something else.”

Then of a sudden Morris understood, and, like a foolish man, at once jumped to a conclusion far other than the truth. Doubtless Layard had gone to the church to propose to Stella, and she had accepted him, or half accepted him; the confusion of her manner told its own tale. A new and strange sensation took possession of Morris. He felt unwell; he felt angry; if the aerophone refused to work at all to-morrow, he would care nothing. He could not see quite clearly, and was not altogether sure where he was walking.

”I beg your pardon,” he said in a cold voice, as he recovered himself; ”it was most impertinent of me.” He was going to add, ”pray accept my congratulations,” but fortunately, or unfortunately, stopped himself in time.

Stella divined something of what was pa.s.sing in his mind; not all, indeed, for to her the full measure of his folly would have been incomprehensible. For a moment she contemplated an explanation, then abandoned the idea because she could find no words; because, also, this was another person's secret, and she had no right to involve an honest man, who had paid her a great compliment, in her confidences. So she said nothing. To Morris, for the moment at any rate, a conclusive proof of his worst suspicions.

The rest of that walk was marked by unbroken silence. Both of them were very glad when it was finished.

It was five o'clock when they reached the Abbey, so that there were two hours to be spent before it was time to dress for dinner. When she had taken off her things Stella went straight to her father's room to give him his tea. By now Mr. Fregelius was much better, although the nature of his injuries made it imperative that he should still stay in bed.

”Is that you, Stella?” he said, in his high, nervous voice, and, although she could not see them in the shadow of the curtain, she knew that his quick eyes were watching her face eagerly.

”Yes, father, I have brought you your tea. Are you ready for it?”

”Thank you, my dear. Have you been at that place--what do you call it?--the Dead Church, all day?”

”Yes, and the experiments went beautifully.”

”Did they, did they indeed?” commented her father in an uninterested voice. The fate of the experiments did not move him. ”Isn't it very lonely up there in that old church?”

”I prefer to be alone--generally.”

”I know, I know. Forgive me; but you are a very odd woman, my dear.”

”Perhaps, father; but not more so than those before me, am I? Most of them were a little different from other people, I have been told.”

”Quite right, Stella; they were all odd women, but I think that you are quite the oddest of the family.” Then, as though the subject were disagreeable to him, he added suddenly: ”Mr. Layard came to see me to-day.”

”So he told me,” answered Stella.

”Oh, you have met him. I remember; he said he should call in at the Dead Church, as he had something to say to you.”

Stella determined to get the conversation over, so she forced the pace.

She was a person who liked to have disagreeable things behind her.

Drawing herself up, she answered steadily:

”He did call in, and--he said it.”

”What, my dear, what?” asked Mr. Fregelius innocently.

”He asked me to marry him, father; I think he told me with your consent.”

Mr. Fregelius, auguring the very best from this openness, answered in tones which he could not prevent from betraying an unseemly joy.