The annoyance had gone from her face at the thought of the song.
“And when he sings he looks so careless and gay. Did you listen?”
“Yes, for a moment, and then we went away. I think it was Emile who made us go. He didn’t want to disturb you, I think.”
“I understand.”
Vere’s face softened. Again Hermione felt a creeping jealousy at her heart. Vere had surely been annoyed with her, but now she knew that it was Emile who had not wished to disturb the tete-a-tete on the cliff she did not mind. She even looked as if she were almost touched. Could the mother be wrong where the mere friend was right? She felt, when Vere spoke and her expression changed, the secret understanding from which she was excluded.
“What is the matter, Madre?”
“The matter! Nothing. Why?”
“You looked so odd for a minute. I thought—”
But she did not express what she had thought, for Hermione interrupted her by saying:
“We must get Emile to come for a long day. I wish you would write him a note to-morrow morning, Vere. Write for me and ask him to come on Thursday. I have a lot to do in the morning. Will you save me the trouble?” She tried to speak, carelessly. “I’ve a long letter to send to Evelyn Townley,” she added.