She strode haughtily past him and disappeared into her bower.
Captain Protheroe looked after her with a long, low whistle of astonishment and dismay. Then he shook his head solemnly and drew out his pipe.
"The longer a man lives," he remarked to that trusty confidant, "the more surely he learns that the only safe method of dealing with women is to preserve an absolute silence. Thus only may he chance to escape offence, for they can interpret it as they will."
CHAPTER XVIII
Not until evening did Barbara emerge from her retirement. She found Sir Ralph seated by the spring, mightily refreshed with his sleep, but gazing somewhat gloomily at his surroundings.
He greeted her appearance, however, enthusiastically.
"Ah! Barbara, that is well," he cried joyously. "Methought you had vanished entirely. Come, sit here and talk. I have a thousand things to say to thee, now we are alone. This is like old times again, is it not?"
Barbara assented absently. She was wondering whither Captain Protheroe had vanished. She paid small heed to the look of admiration in her companion's eyes.
"You haven't forgotten the old days, have you, Barbara?" he questioned, with a suspicion of tenderness in his voice.
"Of course not," she answered gaily. "My memory is scarce so short. Why 'tis but five years since you were with us."