Come and receive it."
Divining what it was, Treherne noiselessly crossed the room, and with no
sign of self-consciousness or embarrassment, was presented to the
handsome woman. Thinking his presence might be a restraint, Sir Jasper
went away. The instant his back was turned, a change came over both: an
almost grim expression replaced the suavity of Treherne's face, and Mrs.
Snowdon's smile faded suddenly, while a deep flush rose to her brow, as
her eyes questioned his beseechingly.
"How dared you come?" he asked below his breath.
"The general insisted."
"And you could not change his purpose; poor woman!"
"You will not be pitied, neither will I," and her eyes flashed; then the
fire was quenched in tears, and her voice lost all its pride in a
pleading tone.
"Forgive me, I longed to see you since your illness, and so I
'dared' to come."
"You shall be gratified; look, quite helpless, crippled for life,
perhaps."
The chair was turned from the groups about the fire, and as he spoke,
with a bitter laugh Treherne threw back the skin which covered his
knees, and showed her the useless limbs once so strong and fleet. She
shrank and paled, put out her hand to arrest him, and cried in an
indignant whisper, "No, no, not that! You know I never meant such cruel
curiosity, such useless pain to both--"
"Be still, someone is coming," he returned inaudibly; adding aloud,
as he adjusted the skin and smoothed the rich fur as if speaking of
it, "Yes, it is a very fine one, Jasper gave it to me.
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