"May I go out there?" she asked. "I have never seen such a beautiful spot in my life before!"
[CHAPTER V.]
St. Leon looked at the girl as she made her timid request. Her eyes drooped from his quickly, and the frightened look came into them again.
He was unaccountably vexed, although a moment before he had been pleased, because she was afraid of him.
"Why should the little goose fear me? I am not an ogre," he said to himself, shortly, turning back to the window, while Mrs. Le Roy answered politely:
"Certainly, child, and I will go with you to show you the way."
They went out together, and St. Leon watched them from the window, appearing and disappearing among the winding walks, the girl's white figure bending here and there among the gay parterres of flowers, the morning sunshine lighting her waving tresses into splendor. Mrs. Le Roy had given her carte blanche as to the flowers, and she was eagerly filling her hands with the scented beauties.
After a little, he remembered that his mother was growing old, and that she must be weary of keeping pace with those light, quick footsteps. He hesitated, and then went out to them.
"Chère maman, you must be tired," he said. "Sit down here on this garden-seat and rest, and I will take your place with Miss Gordon."