Part 49 (1/2)

Yet when she neared him, the tumult of feeling sank again as the quietness of his presence reached her. Out of the tempest she found herself drifting into a safe harbour of still waters.

He moved to meet them, and she heard his voice greet her as he raised his cap. ”So you have been for your farewell stroll!”

She did not answer in words, only she freed her hand from Eustace with a resolute little tug and gave it to him.

Eustace spoke, a species of half-veiled insolence in his tone. ”Like the psalmist she went forth weeping and has returned bearing her sheaf with her--in the form of a fairly substantial _fiance_.”

Dinah ventured to cast a lightning-glance at Scott to see how he took the information and was conscious of an instant's shock. He looked so grey, so ill, like a man who had received a deadly wound.

But the impression pa.s.sed in a flash as she felt his hand close upon hers.

”My dear,” he said simply, ”I'm awfully pleased.”

The warm grasp did her good. It brought her swiftly back to a normal state of mind. She drew a hard breath and met his eyes, rea.s.suring herself in a moment with the conviction that after all he looked quite as usual. Somehow her imagination had tricked her. His kindly smile seemed to make everything right.

”Oh, it is kind of you not to mind,” she said impulsively.

Whereat Sir Eustace laughed. ”He is rather magnanimous, isn't he? Well, come along and tell Isabel!”

Scott's eyes came swiftly to him. He released Dinah, and offered his hand to his brother. ”Let me congratulate you, old chap!” he said, his voice rather low. ”I hope you will both have--all happiness.”

”Thanks!” said Eustace. He took the hand, looking at the younger man with keen, hawk-eyes. ”We mean to make a bid for it anyway. Dinah is lucky in one thing at least. She will have an ideal brother-in-law.”

The words were carelessly spoken, but they were not without meaning.

Scott flushed slightly; even while for an instant he smiled. ”I shall do my best in that capacity,” he said. ”But before you go in, I want you to wait a moment. Isabel has had a slight fainting attack. We mustn't take her by surprise.”

”A fainting attack!” Sharply Eustace echoed the words. ”How did it happen?” he demanded.

Scott raised his shoulders. ”We were talking together. I can't tell you exactly what caused it. It came rather suddenly. Biddy and I brought her round almost immediately, and she declares that she will make the journey. She did not wish me to tell you of it, but I thought it better.”

”Of coa.r.s.e.” Sir Eustace's voice was short and stern; his face wore a heavy frown. ”But something must have caused it. What were you talking about?”

Scott hesitated for a second. ”I can't tell you that, old fellow,” he said then.

Eustace uttered a brief laugh. ”Too personal, eh? Well, how did it happen? Did she suddenly lose consciousness?”

”She suddenly gasped, and said her heart had stopped. She fell across the table. I called to Biddy, and we lifted her and gave her brandy. That brought her to very quickly. I left her lying down in her room. But she says she feels much better, and she is very set upon leaving the arrangements for the journey unaltered.”

Scott spoke rather wearily. Dinah's heart went out to him in swift sympathy which she did not know how to express.

”May I--could I--go to her?” she suggested, after a moment timidly.

Scott turned to her instantly. ”Please do! I know she would like to see you. We ought to be starting in another quarter of an hour. The sleigh will be here directly.”

”May I do as I like about--about telling her?” Dinah asked, pausing.

Scott's eyes shone with a very kindly gleam. ”Of course, I know you will not startle her. You always do her good.”

The words followed her as she turned away. How good he was to her! How full of understanding and human sympathy! Her heart throbbed with a warmth that filled her with an odd desire to weep. She wished that Eustace did not treat him quite so arrogantly.

And then, looking back, she reproached herself for the thought; for Eustace had linked a hand in his arm, and she saw that they were walking together in complete accord.