Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/228

 "Of course I won't say a word if you don't wish me to," returned Terry. "It's your secret. But really your manner with Sir Ian is very strange. You didn't shake hands, and you rushed away as if you hated the sight of him."

"I do!" the girl panted almost weeping; then she drew her breath in sharply, as if she had said something she ought not to have said. "I can't explain," she went on piteously, "any more than I could explain before about not accepting kindness from you, as if it were given for his sake. If you are angry with me, you must just send me away. I can't help it."

"I'm not angry, but I'm very sorry," said Miss Ricardo. "I don't pretend to understand how you feel toward Sir Ian, or why you hate to see him; but I don't want you to explain, since you find it so hard. In any case, perhaps it would be better not. But I'm sorry, because (though I hadn't the remotest idea of this meeting, you may be sure) for some reasons it is best for him to stop on here instead of going away. Now it's my turn not to explain; but I think you will take my word. We must stay; and he, too, must stay, for a day or so at least."

Nora bowed her head and did not answer. They went up stairs together, and looked at the rooms; two bedrooms adjoining, and a sitting-room, with a charming view from the windows. Terry professed to be delighted with everything, and they talked no more of