Part 58 (1/2)

Biddy pursed her lips and shook her head. ”It's not the sign of a contented mind,” she commented.

”I never was contented before I went to Switzerland,” said Dinah; she turned to Isabel. ”Wasn't it all lovely? It's just like a dream to me now--all glitter and romance. I'd give anything to have it over again.”

”I'll show you better things than winter in the Alps,” said Eustace in his free, imperial fas.h.i.+on.

Her bright eyes glanced up to his for a moment. ”Do you know I don't believe you could,” she said.

He laughed. ”You won't say that six months hence. The Alps will be no more than an episode to you then.”

”Rather an important episode,” remarked Scott.

Her look came to him, settled upon him like a shy bird at rest. ”Very, very important,” she said softly. ”Do you remember that first day--that first night--how you helped me dress for the ball? Eustace would never have thought of dancing with me if it hadn't been for you.”

”I seem to have a good deal to answer for,” said Scott, with his rather tired smile.

”I owe you--everything,” said Dinah.

”Stumpy has many debtors,” said Isabel.

Eustace uttered a brief laugh. ”Stumpy scores without running,” he observed. ”He always has. Saves trouble, eh, Stumpy?”

”Quite so,” said Scott with precision. ”It's easy to be kind when it costs you nothing.”

”And it pays,” said Eustace.

Dinah's green eyes went back to him with something of a flash. ”Scott would never have thought of that,” she said.

”I am sure he wouldn't,” said Eustace dryly.

Her look darted about him like an angry bird seeking some vulnerable point whereat to strike. But before she could speak, Scott leaned forward and intervened.

”My thoughts are my own private property, if no one objects,” he said whimsically. ”Judge me--if you must--by my actions! But I should prefer not to be judged at all. Have you told Dinah about the invitation to the de Vignes's, Eustace?”

”No! They haven't asked you for the wedding surely!” Dinah's thoughts were instantly diverted. ”Have they really? I never thought they would.

Oh, that will be fun! I expect Rose is trying to pretend she isn't--” She broke off, colouring vividly. ”What a pig I am!” she said apologetically to Scott. ”Please forget I said that!”

”But you didn't say it,” said Scott.

”A near thing!” commented Eustace. ”I had no idea Miss de Vigne was so smitten. Stumpy, you'll be best man. You'll have to console her.”

”I believe the best man has to console everybody,” said Scott.

”You are peculiarly well fitted for the task,” said his brother, setting down his cup and pulling out a cigarette-case. ”Be quick and quench your thirst, Dinah. I want to trot you round the place before dark.”

Dinah looked at Isabel. ”You'll come too?”

Isabel shook her head. ”No, dear, I can't walk much. Besides, Eustace will want you to himself.”

But a queer little spirit of perversity had entered into Dinah. She shook her head also. ”We will go round in the morning,” she said, with a resolute look at her _fiance_. ”I am going to stay with Isabel to-night.

You have had quite as much of me as is good for you; now haven't you?”