A GATHERING CLOUD.
It was strange that she should use the same words which Leone had used.
"I cannot bear it, Lance," she said. "Why have you done this?"
He was quite at a loss what to say to her; he was grieved for her, vexed with those who told her, and the mental emotions caused him to turn angrily round to her.
"Why did you take her? What is Madame Vanira to you?" she asked.
"My dear Marion, can you see any harm in my giving madame a day's holiday and rest, whether on water or on land?"
She was silent for a minute before she answered him.
"No," she replied, "the harm lay in concealing it from me; if you had told me about it I would have gone with you."
Poor, simple, innocent Lady Marion! The words touched him deeply; he thought of the boat among the water-lilies, the beautiful, passionate voice floating over the water, the beautiful, passionate face, with its defiance as the words of the sweet, sad song fell from her lips.
"Lance, why did you not tell me? Why did you not ask me to go with you? I cannot understand."