Part 34 (2/2)

You know, my love, how much I value that ring. I feel quite lonely without it.”

Annie's pretty face turned pink.

”But I should like to wear it before I go back to school,” she said, ”and you promised that I might have it during the holidays.”

”So I did; well, I will say nothing more. Be sure you take good care of it and give it back to me on the day of your return to Lavender House.”

Annie promised with a light heart. The holidays were to last for another week, and what might not happen in a week? She laughed quite gaily, and springing lightly into the carriage, seated herself by Hester's side. As she did so, her eyes encountered the grave dark ones of Antonia fixed fully upon her. There was a curious expression round Antonia's mouth which puzzled Annie and gave her a momentary sense of discomfort.

The drive, however, through the pleasant summer air revived her spirits, and on the way home she had so much to talk over with Hester that she naturally forgot the ring and her anxieties with regard to it.

When the girls returned to the Grange they found the whole party out of doors enjoying afternoon tea on one of the lawns. Susy was swinging backwards and forwards in a large American chair. Nora was lying on a low couch slowly fanning herself. Mrs. Bernard Temple, looking very handsome and stately, was pouring out tea for the rest of the party and looking down at Sir John, who was lounging on the gra.s.s. Antonia was sitting with her back straight up against an oak tree, her eyes were half shut, and a very full cup of tea was on her lap--the tea was in extreme danger of being spilt, but Antonia cared nothing for any of these things.

As soon as ever Annie and Hester appeared in view Miss Bernard Temple sprang suddenly to her feet. Of course the cup of tea came to instant grief. Sir John uttered an exclamation of decided annoyance; Nora exclaimed, ”Oh, Miss Bernard Temple, what a mess you have made of your dress!” and Susy roused herself sufficiently to shake a playful finger at Antonia.

”Oh, Tony, Tony, how killing you are,” she said; Mrs. Bernard Temple looked aggrieved but said nothing, she knew Antonia too well.

”How am I killing?” exclaimed Antonia; ”this will shake off: that is the good of a shabby black dress--it stands anything. Miss Forest, I particularly want to speak to you; I am glad you have come home.”

She went straight up to Annie and tucked one bony hand through her arm.

”Come,” she said, ”let us retire somewhere--I am anxious to talk to you.”

”But I want my tea first,” said Annie. ”I am really very thirsty.”

”How material,” exclaimed Antonia; ”well, I'll wait--be quick.”

She marched a step or two away, and leant against the wide trunk of the oak tree.

Annie felt provoked. Antonia's queer glance returned uncomfortably to her memory.

She took her tea, therefore, in greater haste than usual and then, going up to Miss Bernard Temple, told her she was ready to listen to anything she had to say.

”Come, then,” said Antonia; ”we must have solitude. Where is the most solitary spot?”

”We can walk up this rise,” said Annie--”here, where the path is. There is a summer-house at the top of this hill, where we can sit. But I cannot imagine what you have to say to me.”

”It's simple enough,” said Antonia; ”I wish just to inform you that I know something.”

”I expect you do,” said Annie, with a light laugh; ”several things, most probably.”

”Something about you,” pursued Antonia, in a firm, hard voice.

”Indeed? How interesting!” Annie's tone was not quite so comfortable now.

”I'll tell you what it is,” continued Antonia, standing still, facing round and turning her melancholy gaze full on Annie: ”you have not got the ring.”

”What ring? What do you mean?”

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