Queenie only sighed. What was all this to her if Garth and she were divided.
The heaviness of her aspect moved Langley to compassion. What could have happened to have quenched her brightness so entirely.
"Have you seen Garth?" she asked, taking up her work again, and pretending not to notice her companion; a dull red flushed the girl's face from cheek to brow at the question.
"Yes; I met him just now."
"He feels very much about all this."
"Does he?" looking at the fire.
"You must not misunderstand him if he feels the weight of his gratitude rather a heavy burthen just now, he has been sorely tried, poor fellow; and then men think so differently about these sort of things."
"There is no need for you to make excuses for him," speaking with difficulty, "he was very kind, and took great pains to show me he was grateful. Ah! if he only knew how I hate that word," with a little burst of excitement.
Langley was silent; she understood too well the nature of the wound that had been received. And then what was she to say that would in any degree comfort her?
"I have done nothing deserving of the word," went on Queenie vehemently. "I have given what literally has cost me nothing; it was such a privilege and happiness to help you all."