Every word went to Ulfar’s heart, and amid all the soft cries of delight he alone was silent. She was beaming with smiles; she was radiant as a goddess; the light seemed to vanish from the room when she 231 went away. Her adieu was a general one, excepting to Ulfar. On him she turned her bright eyes, and courtesied low with one upward glance. It set his heart on fire. He knew that glance. They might say this or that, they might lie to him neck-deep, he knew it was Aspatria! He was cross with Sarah. He accused her of downright deception. He told her frankly that he believed nothing about the soldier and his sister.
She bade him come in the morning and talk to Ria; and he asked impetuously: “How soon? Twelve, I suppose? How am I to pass the time until twelve to-morrow?”
“Why this haste?”
“Why this deception?”
“After seven years’ indifference, are you suddenly gone mad?”
“I feel as if I was being very badly used.”
“How does the real Aspatria feel? Go at once to Ambar-Side.”
“The real Aspatria is here. I know it! I feel it!”
“In a court of law, what evidence would feeling be?”