Part 7 (1/2)

_Basta_!”

That night Piers did not close his eyes. The evening's excitement and the unusual warmth of the weather enhanced the feverishness due to his pa.s.sionate thoughts. Before daybreak he rose and tried to read, but no book would hold his attention. Again he flung himself on to the bed, and lay till sunrise vainly groaning for sleep.

With the new day came a light rain, which threatened to continue.

Dullness ruled at breakfast. The cousins spoke fitfully of what they might do if the rain ceased.

”A good time for work,” said Irene to Piers. ”But perhaps it's all the same to you, rain or s.h.i.+ne?

”Much the same,” Piers answered mechanically.

He pa.s.sed a strange morning. Though to begin with he had seated himself resolutely, the attempt to study was ridiculous; the sight of his books and papers moved him to loathing. He watched the sky, hoping to see it broken. He stood by his door, listening, listening if perchance he might hear the movements of the girls, or hear a word in Irene's voice.

Once he did hear her; she called to Olga, laughingly; and at the sound he quivered, his breath stopped.

The clouds parted; a fresh breeze unveiled the summer blue. Piers stood at the window, watching; and at length he had his reward; the cousins came out and walked along the garden paths, conversing intimately. At one moment, Olga gave a glance up at his window, and he darted back, fearful of having been detected. Were they talking of him? How would Miss Derwent speak of him? Did he interest her in the least?

He peeped again. Irene was standing with her hands linked at the back of her head, seeming to gaze at a lovely cloud above the great elm tree. This att.i.tude showed her to perfection. Piers felt sick and dizzy as his eyes fed upon her form.

At an impulse as sudden as irresistible, he pushed up the sash.

”Miss Hannaford! It's going to be fine, you see.”

The girls turned to him with surprise.

”Shall you have a walk after lunch?” he continued.

”Certainly,” replied Olga. ”We were just talking about it.”

A moment's pause--then:

”Would you let me go with you?”

”Of course--if you can really spare the time.”

”Thank you.”

He shut down the window, turned away, stood in an agony of shame. Why had he done this absurd thing? Was it not as good as telling them that he had been spying? Irene's absolute silence meant disapproval, perhaps annoyance. And Olga's remark about his ability to spare time had hinted the same thing: her tone was not quite natural; she averted her look in speaking. Idiot that he was! He had forced his company upon them, when, more likely than not, they much preferred to be alone. Oh, tactless idiot! Now they would never be able to walk in the garden without a suspicion that he was observing them.

He all but resolved to pack a travelling-bag and leave home at once. It seemed impossible to face Irene at luncheon.

When the bell rang, he stole, slunk, downstairs. Scarcely had he entered the dining-room, when he began an apology; after all, he could not go this afternoon; he must work; the sky had tempted him, but----

”Mr. Otway,” said Irene, regarding him with mock sternness, ”we don't allow that kind of thing. It is shameful vacillation--I love a long word--What's the other word I was trying for?--still longer--I mean, tergiversation! it comes from _tergum_ and _verso_, and means turning the back. It is rude to turn your back on ladies.”

Piers would have liked to fall at her feet, in his voiceless grat.i.tude.

She had rescued him from his shame, had put an end to all awkwardness, and, instead of merely permitting, had invited his company.

”That decides it, Miss Derwent. Of course I shall come. Forgive me for being so uncivil.”