She's not like other
girls. When she says a thing--she means it. But so long as I can see
her--I'm happy!"
"You ought to forget her!" said Victoria angrily, kissing his hair.
"These things should _end_--one way or the other."
He looked perplexed.
"She doesn't think so--and I'm thankful she doesn't, mother--don't say
anything to her. Promise me. She said last night--she loved you. She
wants to come here. Let's give her a jolly time. Perhaps--"
The patience in his blue eyes nearly made her cry. And there was also the
jealousy that no fond mother escapes, the commonest of all jealousies. He
was passing out of her hands, this creature of her own flesh. Till now
she had moulded and shaped him. Henceforward the lightest influence
rained by this girl's eyes would mean more to him than all the intensity
of her own affection.
* * * * *
Victoria's mind for the rest of the sitting was in a state of
abstraction, and she sat so still that Delorme was greatly pleased with
her. At luncheon she was still absent-minded, and Lady Barbara whispered
in Gerald Tatham's ear that Victoria was always a poor hostess, but this
time her manners were really impossible.
"But you intend to stay a fortnight, don't you?" said Gerald, not without
malice.
"If I can possibly stay it out." The reply was lofty, but the situation,
as Gerald knew, was commonplace. Lady Barbara's house in town was let for
another fortnight, and Duddon's Castle was more agreeable and more
economical than either lodgings or a hotel.
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