Part 68 (1/2)

The clock struck, and Mr. Palma compared his watch with its record.

He was loath to quit that charming quiet room, which held the fair innocent young queen of his love, and hasten away upon the impending journey; but it was important that he should not miss the railway train, and he smothered a sigh:

”This morning I neglected to give you a letter which arrived yesterday, and of course I need expect no pardon when you ascertain that it is from 'India's coral strand.' If 'Brother Dougla.s.s' is as indefatigable in the discharge of his missionary as his epistolary labours, he deserves a crown of numerous converts. This letter was enclosed in one addressed to me, and I prefer that you should postpone your reply until my return. I intended to mention the matter this morning, but was absorbed in court proceedings, and now I am too much hurried.”

She put the letter into her pocket, and at the same time drew out a small envelope containing the amount of money she had borrowed.

Rising, she handed it to him.

”Allow me to cancel my debt.”

As he received it, their fingers met, and a hot flush rushed over the lawyer's weary face. He bit his lip, and recovered himself before she observed his emotion.

”That alms-giving episode is destined to yield an inestimable harvest of benefits. But I must hurry away. Pray do not take pa.s.sage for the jungles of Oude before I return, for whenever you leave me I should at least like the ceremony of bidding my ward adieu. Good-bye.”

She gave him her hand.

”Good-bye, Mr. Palma. I hope you will have a pleasant trip.”

As she stood before him, the rich blue of her soft cashmere dress rendered her pearly complexion fairer still, and though keen pain gnawed at her heart, no hint of her suffering marred the perfection of her face.

”Lily, where did you get those lovely white hyacinths? Yesterday I ordered a bouquet of them, but could procure none. Would you mind giving me the two that smell so deliciously in your hair? I want them--well--no matter why. Will you oblige me?”

”Certainly, sir; but I have a handsomer fresher spike of flowers in a gla.s.s in my room, which I will bring down to you.”

She turned, but he detained her.

”No, these are sufficiently pretty for my purpose, and I am hurried.

I trust I may be pardoned this robbery of your floral ornaments, since you will probably see neither Mr. Roscoe, Mr. Chesley, nor yet Padre Sahib this evening.”

She laid the snowy perfumed bells in his outstretched hand, and said:

”I am exceedingly glad that even in such a trifle I can contribute to your pleasure, and I a.s.sure you that you are perfectly welcome to my hyacinths.”

The sweet downcast face, and slightly wavering voice appealed to all that was tender and loving in his cold undemonstrative nature, and he was strongly tempted to take her in his arms, and tell her the truth, which every day he found it more difficult to conceal.

”Thank you. Some day, Lily, I will tell you their mission and fate.

Should I forget, remind me.”

He smiled, bowed, and hurried from the room, leaving her sadly perplexed.

At dinner Mrs. Palma said:

”I have promised to chaperon the Brace sisters to-night to the opera, and shall take tea at their house. Were I sure of a seat for you, I should insist upon taking you, for I dislike to leave you so much alone; but the box might be full, and then things would be awkward.”

”You need have no concern on my account, for I have my books, and am accustomed to being alone. Moreover, I am not particularly partial to the music of 'Martha' which will be played to-night.”

”Did your guardian tell you he has just won that great 'Migdol' case that created so much interest?”

”He mentioned it. Mrs. Palma, I thought he looked weary and jaded; as if he needed a rest, rather than a journey.”