“You did not try to waken her, I suppose?” asked Colonel Estcourt anxiously.
“Well, I did, but it was no use, so I let her be. I saw she was all right, because she breathed naturally, and her heart beat quite regularly. Still, it seemed odd. I asked her maid afterwards about it. She’s a pretty little Frenchwoman, and always waits in the cooling-room for her mistress. But she didn’t seem to think anything of it. She said she very often does that, and it is best not to try and waken her. I must say she seemed much better afterwards. Brighter and more alert. What a lovely creature she is!” she added enthusiastically. “I suppose you know you’re the most envied person in the hotel at this present moment?”
He smiled, but his face still looked anxious and disturbed.
“Because I have the privilege of being her friend?” he said. “Well, I am not going to deny that it is a privilege—a most enviable one.”
“I should think,” said Mrs Jefferson meaningly, “it is also one that has its dangers.”
The calm grey eyes met her sharp inquisitive glance, but were utterly unrevealing.
“I will not affect to misunderstand you,” he said, “but there are men who covet danger for its own sake. They may seem foolhardy, but they are only accountable to themselves for the risks they run.”
“Well,” said Mrs Jefferson warmly, “I’m only a woman, and yet if it’s possible to fall in love with one of my own sex, I’ve done it. She’s perfectly charmed me. I can’t get her out of my head for a single moment. It’s not only her wonderful beauty, but her mind. As for our poet,” she added, laughing, “he’s quite gone. He’s done nothing all day but moon about under the pine trees. Writing sonnets, I guess, and hoping to catch a glimpse of her. All useless—she’s not left the hotel to-day, and I suppose she’ll not favour us to night.”
Colonel Estcourt was silent. Conversation was more or less general, but it sounded vague and unmeaning to him. He heard a voice on his left holding forth with energy, but he did not heed it until Mrs Jefferson touched his arm and whispered an entreaty.
“Do listen,” she said, “it’s Diogenes. Isn’t he coming out? I surmise it’s her influence. You remember last night?”