Part 28 (1/2)

CHAPTER XVI

THE WARNING

”Going away to-morrow, are you?” said Ina Rose, in her cool young voice.

”I hope you'll enjoy it.”

”Thanks!” said Piers. ”No doubt I shall.”

He spoke with his eyes on the dainty lace fan he had taken from her.

Ina frankly studied his face. She had always found Piers Evesham interesting.

”I should be wild if I were in your place,” she remarked, after a moment.

He shrugged his shoulders, and his brown face slightly smiled. ”Because of the hunting?” he said, and turned his eyes upon her fresh, girlish face. ”But there's always next year, what?”

”Good gracious!” said Ina. ”You talk as if you were older than your grandfather. It wouldn't comfort me in the least to think of next season's hunting. And I don't believe it does you either. You are only putting it on.”

”All right!” said Piers. His eyes dwelt upon her with a species of mocking homage that yet in a fas.h.i.+on subtly flattered. He always knew how to please Ina Rose, though not always did he take the trouble. ”Let us say--for the sake of argument--that I am quite inconsolable. It doesn't matter to anyone, does it?”

”I don't know why you should say that,” said Ina. ”It ought to matter--anyhow to your grandfather. Why don't you make him go by himself?”

Piers laughed a careless laugh, still boldly watching her. ”That wouldn't be very dutiful of me, would it?” he said.

”I suppose you're not afraid of him?” said Ina, who knew not the meaning of the word.

”Why should you suppose that?” said Piers.

She met his look in momentary surprise. ”To judge by the way you behaved the other day, I should say you were not.”

Piers frowned. ”Which day?”

Ina explained without embarra.s.sment. ”The day that girl held up the whole Hunt in Holland's meadow. My word, Piers, how furious the old man was!

Does he often behave like that?”

Piers still frowned. His fingers were working restlessly at the ivory sticks of her fan. ”If you mean, does he often thrash me with a horsewhip, no, he doesn't,” he said shortly. ”And he wouldn't have done it then if I'd had a hand to spare. I'm glad you enjoyed the spectacle.

Hope you were all edified.”

”You needn't be waxy,” said Ina calmly. ”I a.s.sure you, you never showed to greater advantage. I hope your lady friend was duly grateful to her deliverer. I rather liked her pluck, Piers. Who is she?”

There was a sudden crack between Piers' fingers. He looked down hastily, and in a moment displayed three broken ivory fan-sticks to the girl beside him. ”I'm horribly sorry, Ina,” he said.

Ina looked at the damage, and from it to his face of contrition. ”You did it on purpose,” she said.

”I did not,” said Piers.

”You're very rude,” she rejoined.