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Wherefore, Sir Mortimer, seeing her thus, and being wise in the ways of women, pressed the flower to his lips, and so turned and strode off down the path. And when his step had died away Cleone sank down in the chair, and spoke. "Come out spy!" she called. And Barnabas stepped out from the leaves.
Then Barnabas sighed, a long, bitter sigh, and looking up saw Cleone standing before him. "Ah, dear Godmother!" said she lightly, "I hope your Grace was able to hear well?" "Perfectly, my dear, thank you every word," nodded the Duchess, "though twice Mr. Beverley nearly spoilt it all. I had to hold him dreadfully tight, see how I've crumpled his beautiful cravat.
"Why no, sir. And it were only 'is whip-arm. 'Urts a bit o' course, but 'e managed to write you a letter, 'e did; an' 'ere it is." So Barnabas took the letter, and holding it in the moonlight where Cleone could see it, they, together, made out these words: MY DEAR BEV, There is durty work afoot.
"Cleone," said he, "why are you so strange to me, what is it, speak to me." But Cleone was dumb, and walked on beside Ronald Barrymaine with head averted, and so with never a backward glance, was presently lost to sight among the leaves. Long after they had gone, Barnabas stood there, his head bowed, while the shadows deepened about him, dark and darker.
Yes, I k-killed Jasper Gaunt, but it was no m-murder, Clo a a fight, an accident yes, I s-swear to God I never meant to do it." "You!" she whispered, "you?" "Yes, I I did it, but I swear I never m-meant to oh, Cleone " and he reached down to her with hands outstretched appealingly.
So did the Cap'n, and the Doochess an' Lady Cleone they all 'elped 'em to do it, they did. An' now they're goin' into the country, to Deven'am, an' I'm a-goin' wiv 'em an' they're a-drivin' over to see you, sir, in 'is Ludship's noo phayton an' that's all no, it ain't though." "What more, Imp?"
Oh! be sure the finger-post knew the meaning of it all, since humans, of every degree, are only men and women after all. "Cleone, when will you marry me?" Now here my lady stole a quick glance at him, and immediately looked up at the moon again, because the eyes that could burn so fiercely could hold such ineffable tenderness also. "You are very impetuous, I think," she sighed.
"Now watch!" said the Duchess, "there!" As she spoke, Sir Mortimer paused, and with a sudden fierce gesture tore the rose from his coat and tossed it away. "Now really," said the Duchess, leaning back and fanning herself placidly, "I think that was vastly clever of me; you should be grateful, sir, and so should Cleone hush! here she comes, at last."
Yes, I think I love you as well as any fine gentleman of them all, and Cleone Good-by!" "Barnabas," she cried, "tell me what you mean to do oh, Barnabas, where are you going?" And now she reached out her hands as though to stay him. But, even so, he drew away, and, wheeling his horse, pointed towards the twinkling lights. "Drive on!" he cried to the post-boy. "Barnabas, wait!"
"Sir," said she, after a pause, "I would thank you, if I could, for for all that you have done for me." "No, no," said Barnabas, hastily. "Words are poor things, I know, but how else may I show my gratitude?" And now it was Barnabas who was silent; but at last "There is a way," said he, staring at the finger-post. "How what way?" "You might kiss me once, Cleone."
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