Page:Frank Owen - The Actress.djvu/67

Rh strings of fine pearls, "disposed with studied negligence." But Anniston beheld them not, for it was at her face he gazed, into her big, soft, thoughtful eyes, which seemed to reflect the beauty of her soul in their depths.

Anniston looked at her, feasted his eyes upon her, yet was he hungry. Love which had often smouldered in his heart now blazed forth in truth, and inwardly he vowed that they should wed; but his face was calm as Mochanda said, "Mistress Berenice, this is Boyd Anniston Sahib, a man of great strength, yet of bad judgment. Here has he come to meet you, O my Mistress!"

The American bowed and Berenice acknowledged his courtesy by inclining her head a trifle.

"It is a treat to have a visitor at Constantine," she said softly, and the musical vibration of her speech sent an electric thrill through Anniston's whole body. "Seldom do I get the opportunity of playing hostess, for we do not entertain Arabs, Turks or Persians, and, save for these, Kishm is scarcely inhabited. Enter the gondola with me and we will go to the castle."

Silently he helped her into the boat, and his hand shook slightly as he did so. Then he took the seat opposite her, under the canopy, and the gondoliers dropped their oars into the water and bent to their task.