Part 23 (2/2)

”I know you are in earnest,” he cried, eagerly following her, ”and still I----”

At that moment Harold Wilkins came up to claim Hadria for a promised dance. Temperley gave a gesture of impatience. But Harold insisted, and Hadria walked with her partner into the hall where Mrs. Gordon was now playing a sentimental waltz, with considerable poetic license as to time. As everyone said: Mrs. Gordon played with so much expression.

Temperley stood about in corners watching Hadria. She was flushed and silent, dancing with a still gliding movement under the skilful guidance of her partner.

Temperley tried to win a glance as she pa.s.sed round, but her eyes were resolutely fixed on the floor.

Algitha followed her sister's movements uneasily. She had noticed her absence during the last reel, and observed that Temperley also was not to be seen. She felt anxious. She knew Hadria's emotional susceptibility. She knew Temperley's convincing faculty, and also Hadria's uneasy feeling that she had done wrong in allowing the practices to be resumed.

Henriette had not failed to notice the signs of the times, and she annoyed Algitha beyond endurance by her obviously sisterly manner of addressing the family. She had taken to calling the boys by their first names.

Fred shared his sister's dislike to Henriette. ”Tact!” he cried with a snort, ”why a Temperley rushes in where a bull in a china-shop would fear to tread!”

Algitha saw that Hubert was again by Hadria's side before the evening was out. The latter looked white, and she avoided her sister's glance.

This last symptom seemed to Algitha the worst.

”What's the matter with Hadria?” asked Fred, ”she will scarcely speak to me. I was just telling her the best joke I've heard this year, and, will you believe me, she didn't see the point! Yes, you may well stare! I tried again and she gave a nervous giggle; I am relating to you the exact truth. Do any of the epidemics come on like that?”

”Yes, one of the worst,” said Algitha gloomily. Fred glared enquiry.

”I am afraid she has been led into accepting Hubert Temperley.”

Fred opened his mouth and breathed deep. ”Stuff! Hadria would as soon think of selling her soul to the devil.”

”Oh, she is quite capable of that too,” said Algitha, shaking her head.

”Well, I'm blowed,” cried Fred.

Not long after this, the guests began to disperse. Mrs. Gordon and her party were among the last to leave, having a shorter distance to go.

Hubert Temperley was quiet and self-possessed, but Algitha felt sure that she detected a look of suppressed exultation in his demeanour, and something odiously brotherly in his mode of bidding them all good-night.

When everyone had left, and the family were alone, they gathered round the hall fire for a final chat, before dispersing for the night.

”What a delightful evening we have had, Mrs. Fullerton,” said Miss Temperley. ”It was most picturesque and characteristic. I shall always remember the charm and kindliness of Scottish hospitality.”

”And I,” said Ernest, _sotto voce_ to Algitha, ”shall always remember the calm and thoroughness of English cheek!”

”Why, we had almost forgotten that the New Year is just upon us,”

exclaimed Mr. Fullerton. The first stroke of twelve began to sound almost as he spoke. He threw up the window and disclosed a night brilliant with stars. (”And under us graves,” said Hadria to herself.)

They all crowded up, keeping silence as the slow strokes of the clock told the hour.

”A Happy New Year to all!” cried Mr. Fullerton heartily.

Part II.

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