"We are observed!" she said softly.
"Hardly! But I will find out!"
He walked to the window, opened it wide and bent far out into the darkness, Jane had risen and leaned heavily against the back of the easy chair blazoned with its coat of arms. Now the most difficult thing was to come! He must learn that which to her was no longer a subject of doubt.
"I will see whether he is able to bear it." Perhaps only the voice of nature spoke in this tenderness; perhaps--there was a convulsive shudder at her heart--"he will smile at the discovery. Well, then, if he can bear it, I will not betray my weakness even though I should die at my brother's first kiss!"
Walter had closed the window, and now came back to her. "It is nothing," he said calmly. "Who could have interest enough in our affairs to watch us?" Jane knew already the way in which she had to go; she entered upon it with unfaltering step.
"Who? Mr. Alison!"
Walter started back and glanced at her in consternation.
"Mr. Alison? Your travelling companion?"
"Yes."
That deep glow, sudden and fiery, again mounted his face, until it covered forehead and temples.