Flora came, wearing a blue and orange bandanna, and the great gold hoops in her ears glittering in the sun.
Each day, now, it appeared, Lady Johnson retired for an hour's repose whilst Claudia read to her; and that hour had arrived.
"You dine with us, of course," said Lady Johnson, going, and looking at me earnestly. Then there was a sudden flash of tears; but none fell.
"My dear, dear Jack," she murmured, as I laid my lips against both her hands.... And so she went into the house, Claudia lingering, having shamelessly pressed my hand, and a devil laughing at me out of her two eyes.
"Is there news of Sir John to comfort us?" she whispered, making a caress of her voice as she knew so well how to do.
"And if I have any, I may not tell you, Claudia," said I.
"Oh, la! Aid and comfort to the enemy? Is it that, Jack? And if you but wink me news that Sir John is safe?"
"I may not even wink," said I, smiling forlornly.
"Aye? So! That's it, is it! A wink from you at me, and pouf!—a courtmartial! Bang! A squad of execution! Is that it, Jack?"