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In truth the only drawback to this start was the absence of Romer, and my poor physical condition. R.C. appeared to be in fine fettle. But I was not well. In the mornings I could scarcely arise, and when I did so I could hardly straighten myself. More than once I grew doubtful of my strength to undertake such a hard trip.
Stooping alone over her fire, with all the brightness, and all the freshness gone out of her, with an old and almost haggard look in the face that was so lately beaming with smiles and dimples, Helen Romer asked herself shudderingly these bitter questions over and over again.
Sievert Nielsen, whom I have mentioned elsewhere, was the fourth of my men. Darkness had enveloped us at supper time. I was tired out, but the red-embered camp-fire, the cool air, the smell of wood-smoke, and the white stars kept me awake awhile. Romer had to be put to bed. He was wild with excitement.
There was hail, and the dry smell of dust, and a little cold rain. Romer would not put on his slicker. Haught said the drought had been the worst he had seen in twenty years there. Up in this odorous forestland I could not see where there had been lack of rain. The forest appeared thick, grassy, gold and yellow and green and brown.
Now it was quite an understood thing that there was to be no bribery. This was understood by no one better than by Mr Romer, who had, in truth, drawn up many of the published assurances to that effect. And, to give him his due, he was fully minded to act in accordance with these assurances.
It was still so cold that when they reached the Romer, and he stopped in a broad blaze of the only means of heating that they have in Frankfort in the summer, the travellers were loath to leave it for the chill interior, where the German emperors were elected for so many centuries.
Romer uttered not a word; she sat in her place with a thunder-cloud upon her brow until the luncheon was over; then, as they rose from the table, she called her lover to her side. "I want to speak to you," she said, and detained him until the others had left the room. "You knew that Vera Nevill was in town, and you have seen her!" she burst forth impetuously.
At first we were too much frightened to fire; but, perceiving that the beast could not spring, Hastings snatched the musket from Romer and shot it through the head. "We were now obliged to hunt for our livelihood, and we became bolder than ever.
"Why, Captain Kynaston is supposed to be engaged to Mrs. Romer; at any rate, she is desperately in love with him." "Yes, everybody knows that: but is he in love with her?" "Herbert, I am sure you must be mistaken!" persists Beatrice, eagerly. "Perhaps I am. Never mind, little woman," kissing her lightly; "I only said they looked happy.
Close behind them follows Sir John Kynaston, and Mrs. Romer, who is well mounted upon one of Edwin Miller's horses, keeps well up with the rest. Vera never quite knew how it was that somehow or other she got thrown out of that short but exciting run.
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