Part 41 (2/2)
”I'm afraid you would make me vain,” said Evelyn
She turned as she left the piano and gave Carrie a quick glance A sharp jealousy seized her, for while she could i er with Jile in the lonely North Evelyn was suddenly afraid of Carrie She was a powerful rival
The party went to the billiard-roo hard She was highly-strung, and her hesitation had vanished Jim loved her and nobody else should claiun to feel passion, and saw she reat adventure nohen Ji fro to bear his troubles After all, to have done with caution was exhilarating Yet she knew her lover He would not ask her to ed he would keep up his reserve Well, she must break it down, and she knew her power Then she turned as Mordaunt stopped by the bench she occupied
”I think you did not like ,” she said
”You know I did not,” Mordaunt rejoined ”Anyhow, I didn't like your exaggerated rendering of a ballad that is probably genuine, though one authority states it ritten about an ancient football match They played football before the Scottish wars in the Border towns”
”Is this i your talent to a shabby use”
”Art is i s of horses' feet? or, for exa is popular at cheap concerts”
Mordaunt frowned ”You well knohat your gift is worth It's too fine to be used in order to rouse crude ee like Jim”
”Ah,” said Evelyn, with a sparkle in her eyes, ”are the great ee and loyalty that led to deeds that live four hundred years? I don't know if our refines”
”Jim is certainly pri that he makes other men look small! I was disturbed when I saw hiin to understand I was ridiculous He fought the smith because he was accountable for his men”
”Oh, well; I expect he would value your approval,” said Mordaunt, who saw Ji bored”
Evelyn s plans in the hall I don't think he will be bored if I join hi, I will go”
She went off and found Ji a drawer ”You can study your plans; I won't disturb you,” she said, sitting down by the fire ”I really don't care for billiards”
He shut the drawer and leaned against a table opposite ”You were not playing billiards; you were talking to Lance That hy I went away”
”You flatter me,” said Evelyn ”But don't leave the plans I expect they are i us trouble, and although I began the job to occupyto finish it because I must”
”I think I understand I am sorry you have had bad luck in Canada”
”Thank you How did you know?”
”Bernard told us”
”I wonder why,” Jih it doesn't matter much, I didn't expect him to tell”
Evelyn pondered Bernard had, no doubt, had an object, but she could solve the puzzle afterwards She was alone with Jiht return
”I was rather hurt when I found you had given Bernard your confidence and left me out,” she said ”But does this reverse in Canada hit you hard?”