“Very natural vanity,” quoth Mr. Richard, smiling, yet looking a little thoughtful.
Miss Hardacre glanced at him and arched her brows.
“There, you are teasing me, Richard,” she said; “I am sure you are.”
“I, laughing at you, Jilian?”
“Now you are frowning, to be sure. Is ought amiss with you, mon cher? You looked quite troubled and absent. Does my silly chatter tire you? I am such a gay, thoughtless little thing, and you, sir, are so terribly clever. Oh, I do hope I shall make you happy!”
Jeffray, angry with himself for the rebellious thoughts that were in his heart, pressed Miss Hardacre’s hand, and poured a pretty speech or two into her ear.
“I am a little troubled, Jilian,” he confessed. “Dr. Sugg told me this morning that there is a case of small-pox in Rodenham.”
Miss Jilian’s mouth gaped a little and her eyes hardened.
“Oh, Richard, how terrible!”
“Yes—terrible.”