Page:Neith Boyce--The bond.djvu/117

Rh "I thought we'd settled all that! What earthly difference does it make to you, Teresa"

"Oh, well, it does, that's all. I hate that woman. You know you did love her."

"I didn't, and she didn't love me. I liked her—she was clever and amusing, and she was unhappy with her husband"

Teresa swayed into her corner of the carriage and shut her eyes.

"Don't talk about such things, dearest," implored Basil with a certain sad humility. "There's nothing that really matters to us, you know"

"There's nothing perfect in this world," said Teresa, in a strange, quiet voice. "Not even our—not even love."

"Dearest!" he cried, and leaned toward her—but she repelled him gently.

They were silent for the few minutes that remained of their drive. … In the little drawing-room the windows were open, and the curtains swayed in a warm breeze. Teresa took off her coat, and lay down in the long chair, and Basil walked about the room, smoking nervously.

"Don't you want to go to bed—aren't you tired?" he asked.

"No, I'm not sleepy," she answered absently. Her face, her half-closed eyes, were sad; and she