"I would not reproach you, child——"
"Ancient sir, I am not a child. And you do reproach me—you said 'twas unworthy!"
"Aye, I said so," he admitted, keeping his gaze bent upon the sleepy pool, "I said so, my lady, because I would have you in all things most noble, most high and far removed 'bove fear of reproach. Because I would have you worthy of all reverence."
"Alas!" she sighed, "here is a something trying role for a poor maid who chances to be very human flesh and blood!"
"And yet," said he in his grave, gentle voice, "knowing you flesh and blood, in my thought you were very nigh to divinity also."
"Were?" she questioned softly. "Is my poor divinity lost so soon?" And her arm touched his upon the handrail. The Major sighed and immediately the arm withdrew itself and, before he could speak, she laughed, though her merriment rang a little hollow. "And forsooth is it so deep a sin, so black a crime to have ventured abroad in my brother's clothes? And if it were, pray who is Major d'Arcy to sit in judgment? Am I dishonoured, smirched beyond redemption——"
"No—no——" he exclaimed.
"So stained, so steeped in depravity——"
"Ah no indeed!" he cried, "indeed madam—ah, Betty it was but that it seemed so—so——"
"So what, sir?"