Page:Bridefrombush00horn.pdf/193

Rh 'If I hear any more such absurd talk,' Lady Bligh said at last, and with some impatience, 'about forgiveness and the like, I shall punish you by not allowing you to leave me at all.'

'It is too late to do that,' Gladys hastily put in. 'But oh, Lady Bligh! if only you knew how happy you have made me—how happily I go away, having your forgiveness for everything, for everything——'

'Except for what you are saying now. How wildly you do talk, child! One would think you were going for ever.'

'Who knows, Lady Bligh? There are accidents every day. That's why I'm thankful to be leaving like this.'

Lady Bligh hated sentimentality. Only the intense earnestness of the girl's voice and manner restrained her from laughing; sentimentality was only fit to be laughed at; but this was sentimentality of a puzzling kind.

A minute later, with passionate kisses and incoherent expressions, out of all proportion