Part 14 (1/2)
They were in the drawing-room, Preenham, having announced that the masons had left.
”I am not going to think of your remarks.”
”I was thinking of going to-day,” continued Artis; ”but I feel now that I ought not to go and leave you in a regular hole like this.”
”There is no need for you to stay.”
”Well, no need, of course; but I suppose you will not kick me out.”
”Of course not. You are welcome.”
”That's right,” said Artis. ”You see,” he continued, looking round to where Katrine and Lydia sat together, ”I feel it due to myself to stop and show that I had no hand in that.”
”No one accused you, Mr Artis.”
”Oh, no, of course not; that would be too good a joke. Then I shall stay.”
”Our case is different,” said Lydia, turning red, and then pale. ”Mr Capel, Miss D'Enghien and I, if we can be of no more use, would like to say good-bye this afternoon.”
”But why?” cried Capel, as he glanced at the speaker, and then fixed his eyes on Katrine. ”There is no occasion for you to leave.”
”I think Miss Lawrence is right,” said Katrine.
”But I want help and counsel from both of you. You must not leave me yet.”
”It is impossible for us to stay.”
”Impossible! Why? Etiquette? Is not Mr Girtle here? Are not things as they have been since we met?”
”I did not know that Mr Girtle was going to stop?” said Katrine, softly. ”If I felt that we could be of any service--”
”Then you will stay?” cried Capel, warmly.
Katrine hesitated, looked up, then down, raised, her eyes once more, and left her chair to take Lydia's hand.
”Let us go up-stairs,” she said softly.
Lydia rose at once.
”You do not speak,” said Capel.
Katrine did not answer till they reached the door, and then she raised her eyes to his with a long, timid look.
”If Lydia consents, so will I.”
”And you will stay, Miss Lawrence, to help me?” cried Capel, warmly.
”I will,” said Lydia, gravely.
”That's right,” cried Capel, opening the door for them to pa.s.s out, and catching Katrine's eye for a moment as she pa.s.sed.
”Curse her! She's playing a dangerous game,” said Artis to himself, as he watched the ladies leave the room.