Part 26 (1/2)

But at the first movement he made she cried incisively, ”No,” and tightened the clutch of her fingers upon his sleeve.

”But, mademoiselle, you are safe,” he said, with a smile. She stared at him stupidly. It seemed the words had no meaning for her. She would not let him go. It was only the feel of his coat within the clutch of her fingers which gave her any comfort.

”I want to be sure that I am safe,” she said, with a wan little smile.

”Tell me, mademoiselle, what have you had to eat and drink during the last two days?”

”Is it two days?” she asked. ”I was in the dark there. I did not know.

A little bread, a little water.”

”That's what is wrong,” said Hanaud. ”Come, let us go from here!”

”Yes, yes!” Celia cried eagerly. She rose to her feet, and tottered.

Hanaud put his arm about her. ”You are very kind,” she said in a low voice, and again doubt looked out from her face and disappeared. ”I am sure that I can trust you.”

Ricardo fetched her cloak and slipped it on her shoulders. Then he brought her hat, and she pinned it on. She turned to Hanaud; unconsciously familiar words rose to her lips.

”Is it straight?” she asked. And Hanaud laughed outright, and in a moment Celia smiled herself.

Supported by Hanaud she stumbled down the stairs to the garden. As they pa.s.sed the open door of the lighted parlour at the back of the house Hanaud turned back to Lemerre and pointed silently to the morphia-needle and the phial. Lemerre nodded his head, and going into the room took them away. They went out again into the garden. Celia Harland threw back her head to the stars and drew in a deep breath of the cool night air.

”I did not think,” she said in a low voice, ”to see the stars again.”

They walked slowly down the length of the garden, and Hanaud lifted her into the launch. She turned and caught his coat.

”You must come too,” she said stubbornly.

Hanaud sprang in beside her.

”For to-night,” he said gaily, ”I am your papa!”

Ricardo and the others followed, and the launch moved out over the lake under the stars. The bow was turned towards Geneva, the water tumbled behind them like white fire, the night breeze blew fresh upon their faces. They disembarked at the landing-stage, and then Lemerre bowed to Celia and took his leave. Hanaud led Celia up on to the balcony of the restaurant and ordered supper. There were people still dining at the tables.

One party indeed sitting late over their coffee Ricardo recognised with a kind of shock. They had taken their places, the very places in which they now sat, before he and Hanaud and Lemerre had left the restaurant upon their expedition of rescue. Into that short interval of time so much that was eventful had been crowded.

Hanaud leaned across the table to Celia and said in a low voice:

”Mademoiselle, if I may suggest it, it would be as well if you put on your gloves; otherwise they may notice your wrists.”

Celia followed his advice. She ate some food and drank a gla.s.s of champagne. A little colour returned to her cheeks.

”You are very kind to me, you and monsieur your friend,” she said, with a smile towards Ricardo. ”But for you--” and her voice shook.

”Hus.h.!.+” said Hanaud--”all that is over; we will not speak of it.”

Celia looked out across the road on to the trees, of which the dark foliage was brightened and made pale by the lights of the restaurant.

Out on the water some one was singing.