Then she said, with a sudden
bitterness in her tone, "Isn't it a fearful thing to have to be civil
to people whom you hate? Isn't it, when they come and establish a
claim on you through some one you care for? You look at them--yes, you
can look at them--and you've got to see them kiss some one that you
love; and you wonder she doesn't rush away for a bit of caustic and
cauterize the place, as you do when a mad dog bites you."
"Mabyn," said the young man beside her, "you are a most unchristian
sort of person this morning. Who is it you hate in such a fashion?
Will you take the reins while I walk up the hill?"
Mabyn's little burst of passion still burned in her cheeks and gave
a proud and angry look to her mouth, but she took the reins all the
same, and her companion leapt to the ground. The banks on each side of
the road going up this hill were tall and steep: here and there great
masses of wild flowers were scattered among the grass and the gorse.
From time to time he stopped to pick up a handful, until, when
they had got up to the high and level country again, he had brought
together a very pretty bouquet of wild blossoms. When he got into his
seat and took the reins again he carelessly gave the bouquet to Mabyn.
"Oh, how pretty!" she said; and then she turned round: "Wenna, are you
very much engaged? Look at the pretty bouquet Mr. Trelyon has gathered
for you."
Wenna's quiet face flushed with pleasure when she took the flowers,
and Mrs.
Pages:
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229