We had better
talk of something else."
Vera was looking at him with a slight frown between her eyes. "I didn't
mean to be--unsympathetic," she said, a faint quiver in her voice.
"Of course not! Of course not!" Hastily he sought to make amends. "I
don't know how we got on the subject. You must forgive me, my dear. I
believe I hear Juliet in the conservatory. We won't discuss this
before her."
He would have risen, but she detained him. "Edward, just a moment! I want
to ask you something."
"Well?" Reluctantly he paused.
"I--only want to know," she spoke with some effort, "what there is
about--Mr. Green that--that makes you so fond of him."
"Oh, that!" He stood hesitating. But there were certainly footsteps in
the conservatory; he heard them with relief. "I'll tell you some other
time, my dear," he said gently. "Here comes Juliet to turn me out!"
He turned to the window as she entered and greeted her with a smile. Vera
was still clinging to his hand.
"May I come in?" said Juliet, stopping on the threshold.
"Yes, of course, come in!" Vera said. "We have been talking about you,
Juliet. Will you come for a voyage with us in Lord Saltash's yacht?"
Juliet came slowly forward.
Pages:
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340