"Yes, yes. Heaps of things. But not the things you care for,--not just
the wild pleasures of life. Charlie, I'm not good at expressing things,
and I'm afraid--just a little--of trespassing, even though we are such
old friends."
Her voice had a wistful note. He carried her hand to his lips. "_Ma belle
reine_, is it possible? You?"
Her fingers closed upon his. "I hate you to be world-tired and lonely.
But I would rather have you that than feeding on husks."
"I'm not doing that at the present moment," he said. "I'm living like a
beastly hermit--except that I cut my nails and brush my hair
occasionally. You've heard about the woman on the yacht, of course?"
Her silence answered him, and he laughed again.
"A lie, _chere reine_! There was no woman."
"Oh, Charlie!" she said impulsively. "Forgive me for believing it!"
He made a royal gesture. "I forgive you. Moreover, the lie was
not without foundation. There was a child on board of the female
species,--very small and badly frightened. We saved her between us,
Larpent and I. She belongs to Larpent--not to me."
"You mean she is his daughter?" questioned Maud.
"That is exactly what I mean. Dull explanation, isn't it? Larpent was
badly damaged.
Pages:
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114