Part 26 (2/2)
”Never mind about it now,” said Kathleen ”You did not realise the risk”
”I shall never forget it! Let me look at your hand Did I do that? Oh, how cruel of me to strike you! You won't tell Denis Quirk that I did it?”
Kathleen, who had begun to feel her anger slowly evaporating, becanant towards Sylvia as she had been prior to the latter's apology It was evident to her that it was not because of the injury Sylvia had done her, but lest she should coiveness
”I have no intention of telling Denis Quirk,” she answered, coldly
”Now, don't be angry, Kathleen--please I airl, I know
Everybody has conspired to spoil me I am impulsive and passionate, but no one has checked me Let that be my excuse”
She put her arm around Kathleen and drew her down on the couch beside her
”Kiss ive me There, that's a dear! Now tell me exactly what happened It is a blank to me”
Kathleen told her exactly what had taken place, Sylvia listening with intense interest
”Isn't he brave?” she asked ”And he took ht of you! What if your horse had gone over the bridge after las' anywhere,” Kathleen answered
”I suppose so,” said Sylvia; ”but he ht have made sure of the fact I think he is splendid All those otheron the bank, and he was the only one to act It is a moment like that that proves a man
Scores of admirers have told me what they would do for me, but only one man has done--only one,” she added, drea Kathleen was restless; the day's adventure had disturbed hermade Mrs Quirk comfortable, she slipped on a thin lace shawl and went quietly into the garden Walking about in the evening stillness, her accustomed composure returned to her Presently she slipped into a summer-house, and sat down to think placidly
As she sat there, she heard voices, and, to her surprise, Denis Quirk and Sylvia paused directly in front of the sunant to her, but they were speaking so quickly and earnestly that she had heard part of their conversation before she could interrupt it Re an outburst of n of what she knew
”You savedAsk anything of ly ”You exaggerate what I have done”
”You say that because you are brave Brave e, as you do But I know, and I worshi+p you!”
The last words were spoken almost in a whisper, and in the tender voice that Sylvia Jackson wastrue
Kathleen held her breath, wondering what any man could do when so spoken to by such a woman as Sylvia
Denis answered curtly, al lady, please don't weave any absurd romances about me I am an ordinary and very commonplace man, not accustoo hoet about , and I don't pretend to be a lady's et to-day”
”Forget!” Kathleen noted a change in Sylvia's voice ”I shall never forget to-night”
Their voices and steps grew fainter, until they were finally lost to Kathleen's ears After a few minutes she also went towards the house
Denis Quirk stood higher in her estimation than ever he had done before