Page:Neith Boyce--The bond.djvu/343

Rh ven laughed excitedly, and took her hand and kissed it. "Never mind, I shall take what I can get! You do like me, don't you?"

"Very much. I should like to run away with you, Turks or no Turks."

"Reckless Teresa! Would he mind your liking me, even as much as you do? Is he jealous?"

"He'd mind enormously, if he knew how much I like you. That's one reason I like to do it. I shall tell him."

"You will?" said Crayven drily. "Then why shouldn't you have more to tell? If I'm to be the instrument of chastisement for an erring husband, let me at least be an effective one." "Oh, if you're going to be sarcastic at my expense, I shall go home."

Teresa sprang up and turned to look at the glacier and the towering rocks, among whose peaks a few fleecy clouds were tangled.

"I shall not go back by that tiresome path," she said. "I want to cut across there."

She pointed to a spur of the hill up which a trail had been worn by falling water.

"It's steeper than it looks. Much better stick to the beaten path."

"I'm tired of the beaten path! Come along." Crayven rose slowly and followed.

"I'll come along. But I warn you, you may get into difficulties. That's all sliding slate above."