She replied with some tartness: "I hope you will not be stupid enough to allow that man to take your place beside Barbara! There, get up! I have Julian fast."
He rose, but said with a smile: "Do you think me a great fool? Now I was preening myself on being a wise man!"
He moved away before she could answer him, and joined Miss Devenish, who was sitting on a rustic bench, drawing diagrams in the gravel with the ferrule of her sunshade. In repose her face had a wistful look, but at the Colonel's approach she raised her eyes, and smiled, making room for him to sit beside her.
"Of all the questions in the world I believe.What are you thinking about? to be the most impertinent," he said lightly.
She laughed, but with a touch of constraint. "Oh - I don't know what I was thinking about! The swans - the dear little boy - Lady Worth - how I envy her!"
These last words were uttered almost involuntarily. The Colonel said: "Envy her? Why should you do so?"
She coloured, and looked down. "I don't know how I came to say that. Pray do not regard it!" She added in a stumbling way: "One does take such fancies! It is only that she is so happy, and good…"
"Are you not happy?" he asked. "I am sure you are food."
She gave her head a quick shake. "Oh no! At least, I mean, of course I am happy. Please do not heed me! I am in a nonsensical mood today. How beautiful Lady Barbara looks in her bronze bonnet and pelisse." She glanced shyly at him. "You must be very proud. I hope you will be very happy too."
"Thank you. I wonder how long it will be before I shall be wishing you happy in the same style?" he said, with a quizzical smile.