CHAPTER XV.
Supper was over, evening had fallen; but there would be no music tonight under the beech tree; the sky was obscured by clouds and a wet wind was blowing.
Mrs Dene and Ruth were crossing the hall; Gethryn came in at the front door and they met.
“Well?” said Rex, forcing a smile.
“Well,” said Ruth. “Mademoiselle Descartes is better. Madame will bring her down stairs by and by. It appears that wretched peasant who drove them has been carrying them about for hours from one inn to another, stopping to drink at all of them. No wonder they were tired out with the worry and his insolence!”
“It appears Miss Descartes has had attacks of fainting like this more than once before. The doctor in Paris thinks there is some weakness of the heart, but forbids her being told,” said Mrs Dene.
Ruth interposed quickly, not looking at Gethryn:
“Papa and Monsieur Bordier, where are they?”
“I left them visiting Federl and Sepp in their quarters.”
“Well, you will find us in that dreadful little room yonder. It’s the only alternative to sitting in the Bauernstube with all the woodchoppers and their bad tobacco, since out of doors fails us. We must go now and make it as pleasant as we can.”