More very bitter tears.
“Well,” said he, in despair, “if I come here for a few days at Christmas, will you be satisfied?”
“Yes,” she faintly whispered.
“Then dry your eyes; don’t let me see another tear. You have had your own way altogether, have you not?—tyrant as I am!”
“Yes,” she replied, with a sickly smile.
She looked so pale, dishevelled, and wan, that he felt absolutely guilty as he gazed at her forlorn-looking face.
Silently and rapidly they pursued the woodland path, where barely two might walk abreast. Above them the trees had laid their heads together, and combined in league to keep out the sun. A stillness weighed on the surrounding woods; the wind had died away; the birds were silent. Not more silent than the bronzed young soldier and the pale agitated girl, who walked together, side by side.
Alice was in hopes of reaching her room unseen. But no such good fortune was in store for her. On the stairs she came face-to-face with Geoffrey, who, calmly surveying her tear-stained cheeks, gave a long and eloquent whistle, and chanted, as he passed downstairs:
“But, children, you should never let
Your angry passions rise,