“That I would like to see Zilla. I will call to-morrow.”
“Come this evening,” hospitably, “and have dinner with us. I will telephone for ma’m’selle and Judy, if you will.”
“Thank you,” said Stargarde, critically examining his face to see whether there was any feverish anxiety visible that she should accept the invitation. There was not. “I really believe,” she reflected, her blue eyes sparkling like the waves beyond them, “that the child is weaning him from me. I am overjoyed,” and she really fancied that she was.
By the quick insight of love he was well aware of what was passing in her mind. “You little guess, beautiful bird,” he thought, as he walked with his gaze bent on the ground, “why it is that your protégée has become the light of my eyes.”
“Yes; I will come,” she said at last. “I shall enjoy doing so.”
“You will see a change in Zilla even in this short time. Regular diet and an untroubled mind are doing wonders for her. Her cheeks are filling out. Her hair, now that it is properly taken care of, looks no longer like Gorgon locks. I daresay she may turn out to be a beauty. Her eyes are not so civilized as ma’m’selle’s, but when she gets that wild stare out of them, they will be just as attractive. That foreign streak in her blood makes her uncommon—an uncommon liar too. Wish I could get her to stop it.”
“Does she tell many stories?”
“Not to me. She is an acute little liar. Rarely gets trapped. I told her the Lord would punish her if she didn’t stop imposing on Mrs. Trotley and Hannah. She said that wouldn’t be fair. If the Lord had wanted her to be truthful he shouldn’t have given her to her mother to bring up, for she told lies oftener than the truth. I reminded her that ladies didn’t lie—may I be forgiven! That made a profound impression, and I can see an improvement. She won’t steal. Says it is—no, I can’t tell you what she said. Her language is forcible at times. She is brave—brave as a tigress; would kill any one, I think, that laid a hand on me.”
“She will get over her faults in time,” said Stargarde. “Think of her wild, undisciplined life so far. Oh, Brian, if I could only tell you what a noble thing you have done in taking Zeb. It is not the little, perishable body alone that you are caring for, but the immortal soul as well. There is something about the child that appeals to me strangely. I felt it to be a heart-breaking thing that she should be with those depraved creatures, her parents.”
“Brutes,” said Camperdown. “The devil’s own. He will get them.”