And saw the night
Filling thy heart’s drear space,
And saw the snake
That gnaws that heart apace.
I saw, my love,
Thy great and sore distress;
I murmur not.’
‘What am I thinking of?’ she almost uttered, starting quickly. ‘I am nervous. I must be. Why didn’t I go to those Lehnberg girls and be amiable to them, instead of standing aloof and helping Carla to be ill-natured, for I know she dislikes them. I should have felt better now, had I done so. I am degraded by indulging in this folly, and I——’
‘Surely, Miss Ford, you did not think this the best place from which to sketch the Dom?’ said Falkenberg’s voice, just beside her.
Sara turned slowly, too thoroughly absorbed in her own thoughts to be startled. Her eyes dwelt at first almost unrecognisingly upon his face. There was trouble in them—a kind of pained, hunted look. Gradually they cleared, as she came down again into the world of reality, and saw him stooping towards her. He was alone. Her troubled heart grew calmer, as she saw his good face, and grave, critical brown eyes, full of wisdom and full of kindness, fixed upon her.