“I think I should die, too, like that, Great High; Belovedest,” said Stellamaris, “if any one I loved left me.”
“But what Lancelot is going to leave you, dear?” said John.
She shook the thistledown of sadness from her brow and laughed.
“You and Walter are the only Lancelots I've got.”
“The devil 's in the child to-day,” said Risca to himself.
There was a short pause. Then Stella said:
“Belovedest dear, what was the particular thing that Walter said you had to tell me?”
“It 's of no consequence,” said John. “It will do to-morrow or the day after.”
Stella started joyously,—as much as the rigid discipline of years would allow her,—and great gladness lit her face.
“Darling! Are you going to stay here to-day and to-morrow and the next day?”