Which words had certainly no particular application to present circumstances.
When he came out again, Miss Talbot was seated on the tree in a meditative mood.
"I was just picking up the hair," said Brooke, in an indifferent tone. "If we were tracked here and pursued it might tell tales, and it would tell too much."
"Oh, how thoughtless of me!" said she. "But really I did intend to go back and throw it down into the torrent. You see, I was so anxious to know if my disguise was right, that I hurried out at once to show you."
"Oh, it's all the same. I've disposed of it better than you would have done."
"I shall try not to be so thoughtless again."
Brooke said nothing, but seated himself near her on the log.
"I'm sorry you don't smoke," said he, after a pause; "but I hope you don't object to my taking a small whiff now and then."
"Oh no," said Miss Talbot. "I like to see you smoking."
"Do you know," said Brooke, after he had again filled and lighted his inevitable pipe—"do you know, I think your character is almost perfect."