“Do I look disturbed? I hope Auntie wont notice it. I wish I could go straight to bed without seeing anybody.”
“Why? What is the matter?”
“I will tell you to-night when you come in to me. I am disgusted with myself; and I think Conolly is mad.”
“Mad!”
“On my word, I think Conolly has gone mad,” said Lord Jasper, returning at this moment out of breath and laughing.
Elinor, startled, glanced at Marian.
“He was walking quite soberly toward the fence of the yellow field when I caught sight of him. Just as I was about to hail him, he started off and cleared the fence at a running jump. He walked away at a furious rate, swinging his arms about, and laughing as if he was enjoying some uncommonly good joke. I am not sure that I did not see him dance a hornpipe; but as it is so dark I wont swear to that.”
“You had better not,” said Elinor, sceptically. “Let us go in; and pray do not encourage George to talk. I have a headache, and want to go to bed.”
“You have been in very good spirits, considering your headache,” he replied, in the same incredulous tone. “It has come on rather suddenly, has it not?”
When they went into the drawing-room they found that Constance had awakened her mother, and had already given her an account of their walk. Jasper added a description of what he had just witnessed. “I have not laughed so much for a long time,” he said, in conclusion. “He is usually such a steady sort of fellow.”