Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/289

 "The more fool you, dear Prince—as I should say if I were vulgar and rude. Our walk has been awfully interesting. I hope you, on your side, have enjoyed each other's society."

"My dear daughter," said Mrs. Light, taking the arm of her predestined son-in-law, "I shall have something serious to say to you when we reach home. We 'll go back to the carriage."

"Something serious! Decidedly it is the Inquisition. Mr. Hudson, stand firm and let us agree to make no confessions without conferring previously with each other! They may put us on the rack first. Mr. Mallet I see also," Christina added, "has something serious to say to me!"

Rowland had been looking at her with the shadow of his lately-stirred pity in his eyes. "Possibly," he said. "But it must be for some other time."

"I'm always, you know, at your service. I see our innocent gaiety is gone. And I only wanted to be amiable! Try to go in for an artless ease! It's very discouraging. Cavaliere, you alone don't look as if you wanted to bite me; from your dear old stupid face, at least, there 's no telling what you think. Give me your arm and take me away."

The party took its course back to the carriage, which was waiting in the grounds of the villa, and Rowland and Roderick bade their friends farewell. Christina threw herself back in her seat and closed her eyes; a manœuvre for which Rowland imagined the Prince was grateful, as it enabled him to look at her without seeming to depart from his attitude of distinguished disapproval. 255