If her words sounded cold and repelling to her hearer, they were yet more so to herself. She felt that she spoke harshly, and with scarcely veiled bitterness, and, as she saw the young man droop his head, she hastily added, with a softened tone:
“Your language, sir, is strange and perplexing to me. You allude to some unhappy circumstances, of which, as you say, I am entirely ignorant. If you see fit to explain these circumstances to me, I think you may count on my sympathy. If you do not deem it necessary that I should be further acquainted with them, let it be forgotten that you have ever touched on them at all.”
The young girl, faint and agitated from contending feelings, put out her hands like one who does not see her way clearly. Blanche, who had drawn back, stepped hastily to her side, and gave her an arm to lean upon.
“My poor darling!” whispered Blanche tenderly.
The sympathetic accents vibrated on Lois’ heart like an electric shock. She roused herself from the momentary weakness to which she had yielded, and extended her hand to Captain Desfrayne.
“Adieu, sir,” she said.
The young man caught her hand, and involuntarily pressed the slender fingers within his own. He gazed for an instant into the dreamy eyes, so pure, so frank, so truthful, so trusting, then, loosing the little hand, turned away with a deep sigh.
As he did so, Lady Quaintree looked back, and made a signal to the girls to accompany her to the carriage, which was in waiting. She smiled in her own gracious way upon the young officer, though she really wished him at Jericho.
He advanced, and lifted his hat.
“I presume, madam, I can be of no service to you?” he said, glancing for a moment at the Honorable Gerald, who was unknown to him.