“At the bottom of the well, and a good place for it,” Irene said, still holding his arm as they went back to the bench on which she had presumably sat quietly while he tried the charm.
“How did you happen to come to me?” he asked, suddenly, without, however, a suspicion of the truth.
Irene’s voice was very steady as she answered, “I was sitting here with my eyes shut, as I told you I would, waiting for some sign that you were through and it was my turn to consult the oracle. You were so long that I looked at last and saw you sway a little as if about to fall. Then I ran forward just as you dropped the glass. Didn’t you hear me coming?”
She asked the last question with her heart in her throat as she waited for his answer.
“I heard nothing but the humming of the hornets. There’s a whole swarm of them buzzing in my ears now,” he said.
“Is he crazy?” Irene thought, wondering what her next move should be. She had made her great stroke and succeeded, but felt that to keep alive any superstitious feeling in him would be uphill business. He had seen her face, she was sure, for she had met his eyes fully and seen in them an expression of intense surprise and half terror, as if the sight were not a pleasant one. She must now await developments. He was very white and the perspiration was standing upon his forehead where Irene laid her hand as she said, “I am sorry I insisted upon that foolishness. I might have known it would make one dizzy to look steadily into the reflection of the sun this hot day.
“I am glad the mirror is broken. I would not look in it if it were not.”
“Never allow yourself to do such a thing. I am sorry I did,” Rex exclaimed.
“And it was all my doings,” Irene said. “I hope you will forgive me. Does your head ache very hard?”
She still kept her hand upon his forehead and he did not try to shake it off. It was very cold and his head was burning and throbbing with pain. He was in no mood for love making had he been inclined, and Irene knew it and that she must wait.