Part 17 (2/2)
”No, thank you; indeed I could not possibly have you. It is very good of you to offer, but I cannot have you, and I must not tell you why.”
”You do look so sad! Are you sure you cannot join the charades to-night?”
”Sure-certain,” said Sylvia, with a little gasp. ”And I am not sad,” she added; ”there never was any one more merry. Listen to me now; I am going to laugh the echoes up.”
They were standing where a defile of rocks stretched away to their left.
The stream ran straight between the narrow opening. The girl slightly changed her position, raised her hand, and called out a clear ”Hullo!”
It was echoed back from many points, growing fainter and fainter as it died away.
”And now you say I am not merry!” she exclaimed. ”Listen.”
She laughed a ringing laugh. There never was anything more musical than the way that laughter was taken up, as if there were a thousand sprites laughing too. Sylvia turned her white face and looked full at Arthur.
”Oh, I am such a merry girl!” she said, ”and such a glad one! and such a thankful one! And I am rich-not poor-but I like simple things. Good-by, Arthur, for the present.”
”I will come and see you again. You are quite wonderful!” he said. ”I wish mother knew you. And I wish my sister Moss were here; I wish she knew you.”
”Moss! What a curious name!” said Sylvia.
”We have always called her that. She is just like moss, so soft and yet so springy; so comfortable, and yet you dare not take too much liberty with her. She is fragile, too, and mother had to take great care of her.
I should like you to see her; she would--”
”What would she do?” asked Sylvia.
”She would understand you; she would draw part at least of the trouble away.”
”Oh! don't, Arthur-don't, don't read me like that,” said the girl.
The tears just dimmed her eyes. She dashed them away, laughed again merrily, and the next moment had turned the corner and was lost to view.
CHAPTER XI.-”I CANNOT ALTER MY PLANS.”
Immediately after lunch Lady Frances beckoned Evelyn to her side.
”Go up-stairs and ask Jasper to dress you,” she said. ”The carriage will be round in a few minutes.”
Evelyn wanted to expostulate. She looked full at Audrey. Surely Audrey would protect her from the terrible infliction of a long drive alone with Lady Frances! Audrey did catch Evelyn's beseeching glance; she took a step forward.
”Do you particularly want Evelyn this afternoon, mother?” she asked.
”Yes, dear; if I did not want her I should not ask her to come with me.”
Lady Frances's words were very impressive; Audrey stood silent.
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