Page:Francesca Carrara 1.pdf/286

282 Evelyn absolutely coloured to the forehead as he asked, in a hesitating voice, where she had seen him.

"As you mounted in the high road this morning, and spurred that unfortunate horse of your's as if life and death had been in his speed."

"I cannot allow myself to be cross questioned," replied Evelyn, with a smile obviously forced.

Francesca felt her interest flung back again;—nothing is more painful than to have a kindly anxiety treated as curiosity. Involuntarily, her manner became constrained; and the conversation, which had begun with so much animation, died away into an awkward silence, which Evelyn was the first to break.

"I have heard nothing talked of this morning," said he, "but the King's gallantry and your beautiful bracelet. Do show it to me."

"I offered it this morning to the Madonna. It was in returning from the chapel through the park that I saw you."

"You have made an offering of your bracelet! What could tempt you to do any thing half so absurd? Were you afraid it would haunt you with too brilliant hopes?"