第95章

IN LIGHTER VEIN

Dinner that evening, the first at their small round table, was a great success.Nurse Rosemary's plans all worked well; and Garth delighted in arrangements which made him feel less helpless.

The strain of the afternoon brought its reaction of merriment.Alittle judicious questioning drew forth further stories of the duchess and her pets; and Miss Champion's name came in with a frequency which they both enjoyed.

It was a curious experience for Jane, to hear herself described in Garth's vivid word-painting.Until that fatal evening at Shenstone, she had been remarkably free from self-consciousness; and she had no idea that she had a way of looking straight into people's eyes when she talked to them, and that that was what muddled up "the silly little minds of women who say they are afraid of her, and that she makes them nervous! You see she looks right into their shallow shuffling little souls, full of conceited thoughts about themselves, and nasty ill-natured thoughts about her; and no wonder they grow panic-stricken, and flee; and talk of her as 'that formidable Miss Champion.' I never found her formidable; but, when I had the chance of a real talk with her, I used to be thankful I had nothing of which to be ashamed.Those clear eyes touched bottom every time, as our kindred over the water so expressively put it."Neither had Jane any idea that she always talked with a poker, if possible; building up the fire while she built up her own argument;or attacking it vigorously, while she demolished her opponent's;that she stirred the fire with her toe, but her very smart boots never seemed any the worse; that when pondering a difficult problem, she usually stood holding her chin in her right hand, until she had found the solution.All these small characteristics Garth described with vivid touch, and dwelt upon with a tenacity of remembrance, which astonished Jane, and revealed him, in his relation to herself three years before, in a new light.

His love for her had been so suddenly disclosed, and had at once had to be considered as a thing to be either accepted or put away; so that when she decided to put it away, it seemed not to have had time to become in any sense part of her life.She had viewed it; realised all it might have meant; and put it from her.

But now she understood hove different it had been for Garth.During the week which preceded his declaration, he had realised, to the full, the meaning of their growing intimacy; and, as his certainty increased, he had more and more woven her into his life; his vivid imagination causing her to appear as his beloved from the first;loved and wanted, when as yet they were merely acquaintances;kindred spirits; friends.

To find herself thus shrined in his heart and memory was infinitely touching to Jane; and seemed to promise, with sweet certainty, that it would not be difficult to come home there to abide, when once all barriers between them were removed.

After dinner, Garth sat long at the piano, filling the room with harmony.Once or twice the theme of The Rosary crept in, and Jane listened anxiously for its development; but almost immediately it gave way to something else.It seemed rather to haunt the other melodies, than to be actually there itself.

When Garth left the piano, and, guided by the purple cord, reached his chair, Nurse Rosemary said gently "Mr.Dalmain, can you spare me for a few days at the end of this week?""Oh, why?" said Garth."To go where? And for how long? Ah, I know Iought to say: 'Certainly! Delighted!' after all your goodness to me.

But I really cannot! You don't know what life was without you, when you week-ended! That week-end seemed months, even though Brand was here.It is your own fault for making yourself so indispensable."Nurse Rosemary smiled."I daresay I shall not be away for long," she said."That is, if you want me, I can return.But, Mr.Dalmain, Iintend to-night to write that letter of which I told you.I shall post it to-morrow.I must follow it up almost immediately.I must be with him when he receives it, or soon afterwards.I think--I hope--he will want me at once.This is Monday.May I go on Thursday?"Poor Garth looked blankly dismayed.

"Do nurses, as a rule, leave their patients, and rush off to their young men in order to find out how they have liked their letters?"he inquired, in mock protest.

"Not as a rule, sir," replied Nurse Rosemary, demurely."But this is an exceptional case.""I shall wire to Brand."

"He will send you a more efficient and more dependable person.""Oh you wicked little thing!" cried Garth."If Miss Champion were here, she would shake you! You, know perfectly well that nobody could fill your place!""It is good of you to say so, sir," replied Nurse Rosemary, meekly.