CHAPTER VIII
An anxious face met Hugh as he was shown into the drawing-room. Minna had grown into a woman since her illness, and had hardened considerably during the process. Instead of the lazy uplifting of silky lashes, veiling swimming eyes, with which she had been wont to greet him, she met him with a glance as keen as his own. The racial spirit of bargain revealed itself in her expression. Once more he was struck by the latent power of strength and hardness. She wore a dark red dinner dress and heavy gold bracelets, and a diamond star shone in the dark clusters of her hair.
“I am glad you have come early,” she said, receiving his kiss mechanically. “I wanted to have a word with you before papa comes down.”
They walked slowly to the fireplace and stood turned towards each other, leaning against the mantelpiece.
“Well?” he said.
“When are you going to tell papa?”
“After dinner—‘over the walnuts and the wine.’”
“Don’t. Wait until you have said good-bye to me.”