Gertrude did not answer. After a little while he said— "I want you for Urania; in a half light like this, the moon full on her face and a dense background of dark forest; and perhaps in one corner a glimpse of the lingering sunset light." "I want to be first and dearest to you always," she said. "I do love you so; and the passion of her tone strangely moved her husband. He reached up towards her with a kiss, whispering, "My Star." CHAPTER XIII. "Love's feeling is more soft and sensible Love's Labour's Lost. A DAY in October, still warm with the lingering brightness of summer, and at five o'clock in the afternoon, the sun sinking westward beyond Kensington in a splendid amber haze, which Max Breynton enjoyed as he loitered down Piccadilly, with a very vague idea as to what he meant to do. His cogitations were cut short by his finding himself face to face with Mr. Goring. They greeted cordially, but Max did not fail to remark that Mr. Goring looked anything but well, and had lost something of his cheerful alert manner. "I've been to my doctor's," Mr. Goring volunteered, as Max, saying he had nothing to do, turned his way with him. "Have you heard of our plans, Breynton? Of course you haven't, though, as Roland Trench isn't in town." "What are your plans?" "Well, I've consulted Thompson about myself, and he says there's nothing to be alarmed about; but I need a long sea voyage to set me up again, so he has doomed us to go to Australia and back.” "Miss Goring is going with, you then?” "Not through my fault. I tried to dissuade her, but it's of no use. She's as obstinate as-as a woman," said Mr. Goring, with a despairing conclusion; "and since she says she means to go, I suppose she must. I don't think she can really like it, though she says she does, because I know she is fond of her life at home, and of having everything round her." "She would be wretched if you left her," said Max. "Yes, she is that kind of girl. If she thought she were doing a selfish thing she would be miserable, and that's what it is in this case. I wish I could think she would enjoy the voyage on her own account." Breynton could surmise that whether Evelyn enjoyed the voyage or not, she would be very glad to leave England at present, and so escape the constant wearing pain he feared must press upon her from the sight of Roland and his wife. "She is too brave and healthy," he thought, "not to conquer it; but it will take her time.” "Have you anything special to do with yourself to-night, Breynton?" asked Mr. Goring. "If you haven't, come home with me and dine at Kensington. I've got an order to give at a confounded outfitter's, and then we can go home together." Max assented, though he inwardly dubbed himself a fool. She did not want to see him. Why the deuce must he always be thrusting himself in her way? But he went all the same. Yet whether he were a fool or not he was glad of his folly when he saw her, and knew by the tone of her voice she was really pleased to see him. He looked at her timidly. He had not seen her since Roland's marriage, and he seemed to dread a possible change in her; but there was none from what he had noted during the last three months. The loss of the look of free, simple happiness her face had worn on the day he had first seen its sweetness, six months before, and what VOL. I. J2 |