Part 28 (1/2)

But what in Heaven's name had caused it? Did it concern him?--Or was he only the medium connecting some memory?--He wished he could feel sure.

Then there was the incident of his flowers; why had she worn them, and then thrown them from her as if they had burnt her?

His rather tormenting thoughts kept him too frequent company--especially as the provoking girl seemed to have retired from sight, and except on rare occasions, before everyone, he never had the chance of even a word.

Lady Garribardine's rheumatism was better, so Miss Bush had not even been required to pour out the tea.

It was with a sigh of intense relief that he returned into the hall after tucking Lao and his wife into the motor en route for London town, on Sat.u.r.day morning an hour or two before lunch.

The hostess was not down to speed her parting guests; she was very much occupied in her boudoir, and they had gone thither to bid her farewell.

As Mr. Strobridge mounted the stairs, he met Katherine coming out of the room with her arms full of papers and small parcels, and a couple of big books, which she had some ado to carry.

”Let me help you,” he said, eagerly--and she gave him the heavy volumes without a word.

A sense of exasperation arose in him. He would not be flouted like this!

He followed her to the old schoolroom, merely remarking on the way that now all the guests, except Colonel Hawthorne, had departed, he felt there was breathing s.p.a.ce.

Katherine seemed quite unconcerned and indifferent as to whether he did or did not; and she took his burden from him and thanked him absently, with a look towards the door evidently expecting him to go back again whence he came.

But he showed no signs of moving.

”Am I to be offered a chair on this my first call upon Miss Bush?”

”It isn't a call--you helped me to carry the books. I am very busy to-day.”

”I don't care. I am here now, and I am going to stay--I shall tell my aunt how inhospitable and ungracious you are!”

”Sneak!” and she began sorting the little parcels into a row, her sullen eyes smiling. ”I always hated tell-tales at school.”

”So did I--but I could commit any crime to be with you. I have been tantalized all the week--Miss Bush not even seen at tea--and only glimpses of her scurrying along pa.s.sages and up stairs!”

”What then do you want with Miss Bush?--Have you some more charity business to do?”

”No--The charity will be quite on the side of the fair Katherine, if she will allow a weary wayfarer to bask in the suns.h.i.+ne of her presence for a little while.”

”Mr. Strobridge, you are talking nonsense, and I have not a moment's time to waste on you.”

”I love to talk nonsense. It annoys you, and I want to see your eyes flash. I have seen them laughing--and full of pain--and snakily cold. Now I want them to flash--and then I would like them to grow tender.--They would be divine like that.”

Katherine sat down and took up a pen, with a glance of withering indifference; then she began to address the labels of the packets from a list.

He came quite close to her; he was feeling a number of things.

”What a temptress you are--aren't you?--teasing me like this!”

Katherine now opened her eyes wide and stared at him, but she did not move away an inch.

”The whole thing is only in your imagination,” she said, calmly. ”You are a proof of my theory that personal emotion creates appearance, and hides reality.”