His eyes met mine, and he lifted his hat. He did not change colour or seem startled: and that looks as if he had indeed got over it. And I—I thought for the moment that my heart must die within me, yet I did not even turn pale. The need to keep up was too desperate. And I know that I managed well: perhaps, alas! Too well, if he could care still. For now indeed he must count the matter hopeless.
I bowed coldly,—not in too icy a fashion, which might have been taken for restrained feeling, but with a quiet indifference, as to the most ordinary acquaintance.
Then I felt that, in the natural course of events, acquaintances meeting on such a spot, would certainly exchange a few words. I did not offer my hand, but I paused, and said something about "not expecting to meet Captain Lenox so far out of the world!"
"Odd encounters do take place sometimes," he answered in a manner freezingly polite. "I hope you are well."
"Thanks, quite," I replied. "Are you staying long at the farm?"
"A day or two, perhaps. No, not long. I came here to escape from crowds."
"Then we must not break in on your solitude," I said, slightly smiling. And I would have turned away with another bow, when, to my astonishment, up marched Maggie.
"Miss Con, is it Captain Lenox? Millie heard from her friend that he was coming. And she would like to be introduced."
This very unconventional and schoolgirlish address must have surprised Arthur Lenox even more than it surprised me. But he turned instantly to Maggie, lifting his hat again,—and I could not but see that he was struck. I know his face so well: and the momentary gleam of admiration gave me a keen pain. Yet I could not wonder at it. Maggie was looking her best;—the fresh roseate bloom heightened by walking; the grey eyes sweet and sparkling, half disposed to droop shyly under the curved black lashes.
"Captain Lenox,—Miss Romilly," I said coldly: and as Miss Millington approached, I named her also. Then, as Maggie fell back a pace, and "Millie" seemed disposed to get into a talk about the Bath friend, I added, "We are delaying Captain Lenox: and I do not think we have any time to lose."