“Who is with you now?” she asked, in a low, mellow voice that was full of music.
“My sister and my cousin are yonder. You may remember Tavia as a child, she is little more now. Maurice is an invalid, but the finest fellow breathing.”
“I understand,” and Mrs. Snowdon's eyes softened with a sudden glance of pity for one cousin and admiration for the other, for she knew the facts.
“Major Royston, my father's friend, and Frank Annon, my own. Do you know him?” asked Sir Jasper.
“No.”
“Then allow me to make him happy by presenting him, may I?”
“Not now. I'd rather see your cousin.”
“Thanks, you are very kind. I'll bring him over.”
“Stay, let me go to him,” began the lady, with more feeling in face and voice than one would believe her capable of showing.
“Pardon, it will offend him, he will not be pitied, or relinquish any of the duties or privileges of a gentleman which he can possibly perform. He is proud, we can understand the feeling, so let us humor the poor fellow.”