“We will find quietness yonder in the empty supper-room. You have made me anxious.”
Then, doubtless to the wonder of many citizens’ daughters and wives, we passed together, a sufficiently striking couple, across the hall; and when at length we escaped the curious eyes, Grace held me back at arm’s length.
“You look thin and haggard, Ralph,” she said. “Something has happened. Now begin, and tell me clearly all about it.”
I did not know how to commence, and I proceeded awkwardly to temporize, though I really meant what I said.
“It was the fault of that stupid Chinaman, Grace, and I 285 am sorry. It was so courageous of you to come to me before them all.”
She looked at me with a curious mingling of pride and humor. “Am I, then, so little as to fear a few inquisitive women? And do you fancy that I loved you for your prepossessing exterior? Now, sir, before you offend me further, at once begin.”
I placed a lounge for her, and leaned over it as I said, “It is about Geoffrey. We went up prospecting, and found his party in difficulties. Geoffrey is—”
“Not dead!” she said with a shudder, clutching the arms of the chair. And I laid my hand soothingly on one of hers as I answered:
“No, but he is hurt, and he is longing to see you. He is in Vancouver now. Listen, I will tell you about it.”
“Poor Geoffrey!” she said when I had finished, while a tear glistened on her long lashes. “Geoffrey, my old playmate! I can hardly believe it. Ralph, there are very few like him. He is in all things a true-hearted gentleman. He stood between us; but how many others would have played their part so chivalrously when he had the power through my father to force me to his will. And—may I be forgiven for it—more than once I had hard thoughts of him. And now he is dying! Take me at once to see him.”