So sacred was this woman in his eyes, that he felt like entering a temple when he came into her presence; and she had forbidden—albeit gently—his nearer approach.
CHAPTER XVI
THE BIRTH OF A SOUL
September was nearly out. Mrs. Barrimore and Mr. Burns had been to Scotland, where the latter had a shooting-box situated amid magnificent scenery. They had returned to Hawk’s Nest browned and invigorated.
During their absence many things had happened. The coming out of “Wings and Winds” was not among their number. The book was to see the light in November.
One of the things that had happened was a great change in the circumstances of Eweretta Alvin.
Unconscious actors in this drama of the young Canadian’s life had practically brought about this change.
Disobedient to Mrs. Barrimore’s gentle direction that Phyllis should not go alone to the bungalow at Gissing, that young woman had been there constantly during the absence of her friends.
Eweretta, who had had no drugs given to her from the time that she and Mrs. Le Breton became friends, had time after time seen Phyllis with her Philip, apparently on very intimate terms. Added to this, Mattie, the servant in whom she had once confided, and who had not believed her story, told her that Pierre had heard at Pickett’s Farm that young Mr. Barrimore was engaged to Miss Lane.
Clearly, Philip—Philip the ardent lover of other days—had forgotten.
This knowledge did not prostrate the young Canadian as might have been expected. She was proud, proud and fearless, when herself, unaffected by drugs.