“Oh, don’t I!” returned Joan with a sigh. “You see Constantine requires for his experiments all the little money the trustees allow.”
LADY JOAN AND COSMO IN THE GARDEN.
“I know this part,” said Cosmo. “I made acquaintance with it the last thing as I was growing ill. It looks to me so melancholy! If I were here, I should never rest till I had with my own hands got it into some sort of order.”
“Are you as strong as you used to be, Cosmo—I mean when you are well?” asked Joan, willing to change the direction of the conversation.
“A good deal stronger, I hope,” answered Cosmo. “But I am glad it is not just this moment, for then I should have no right to be leaning on you, Joan.”
“Do you like to lean on me, Cosmo?”
“Indeed I do; I am proud of it!—But tell me why you don’t take me to a more cheerful part.”
She made him no answer. He looked in her face. It was very pale, and tears were in her eyes.
“Must I tell you, Cosmo?” she said.