Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/193

  wife. 'Myself, I dread the dust and the heat. Go with Mr. Stewart, if you wish'—his smile was nothing short of angelic as he said this—'and I will remain and talk with Dr. Leyden, if he will permit me.'

"The dark blue eyes of the Countess swept upward, and as they met the cold gleam in Stewart's she turned her face from us, but I could see the crimson creeping to the tip of her ear, partly hid by the mass of her hair. Stewart nodded indifferently and ordered his pony and chaise.

"When they had gone the Count turned to me. His fine face was serene, but there was a wistfulness in his lustrous eyes.

What a delightful thing it is to be young, Doctor!' he remarked. Then, in the same voice: 'You were telling me last night about the Dyaks. . .'

"It was almost dark when they returned. The Countess was very pale and seemed nervous and irritable, while Stewart was in a state of suppressed and concentrated fury. [ 177 ]