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properly booked, except to luggage sent by _roulage_, to which there
attaches the romantic uncertainty of Vanderdecken's correspondence.
Cecil rather liked traveling; it never tired her; so, by midnight she
had seen Mrs. Danvers, weary and querulous, to bedgone through a
variety of gymnastics in the way of _accolades_, with Fanny
Molyneuxtaken some trouble in inquiring about shooting and other
amusements likely to divert her brother from his sorrowsand yet did
not feel very sleepy.
They ignore shutters in these climes; and her reflection was still
flitting backward and forward across the white windowblinds as Royston
Keene came home from the Cercle. He knew the room, or guessed who the
shadow belonged to; and as he moved away, after pausing a minute or two,
he waved his hand toward it, with a gesture so unwarrantably like a
salute that, were _silhouettes_ sensitive or prudish, it might have
proved an offense not easily forgiven.
The next morning was so soft and sunny that it tempted Miss Tresilyan
out on the terrace of their hotel very soon after breakfast. She was
waiting for her brother on the top of the steps leading down into the
road, when Major Keene passed by again. If he had never heard of her
before, the smooth sweeping outline of her magnificent form, and the
careless grace of her attitude, as she stood leaning against the stone
balustrade, were not likely to escape an eye that was wont to light on
every point of feminine perfection, as a poacher's does on a sitting
hare. But he never got so far as her face then; and hardly had time to
criticise her figure; for at that moment a brisk gust of the _mistral_
swept round the corner, and revealed a foot and ankle so marvelously
exquisite, that they attracted his eyes, as long as he dared to fix them
without risking a stare; and kept his thoughts busy till he saw her
again. _Caramba!_ he muttered, half aloud. I don't wonder at any one
who has seen _that_ not looking at a nautchgirl afterward. And he
quickened his pace toward Mr. Molyneux's house. He met them before he
reached their door.
I am going to Miss Tresilyan, Fanny said. Isn't it lucky, her first
morning here being such a delicious one?
Ah! I thought that was your point, answered Keene. There must be a
tremendous amount of 'gushing' to be got through still: the accumulation
ofhow many months? I suppose you only took the rough edge off last
night. Don't hurt her, please, that's all. And, Hal, you were actually
going to preside over the meeting of two young hearts, and gloat over
their emotions, and spoil their innocent amusements? I wonder at you.
Means well, Mrs. Molyneux; but he's _so_ thoughtless.
Fanny laughed. I think I could do without him. But we mean to walk this
afternoon, and he may come then; and you too, Major Keene, if you are

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