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The room directly underneath was the drawing-room, and he knew that it was closed and shuttered and unoccupied both by day and by night. The only danger, he decided, was from the sleeping-room behind his own, with its windows opening close by; but, though he did not know it, he was safe there also, for the room was Coira O'Hara's. He felt in his pocket for the pistol, and it was ready to hand.
You must know that I am telling you the truth. I beg you to go back to Paris." And from where she stood, a little aside, Coira O'Hara said: "I beg you, too, Arthur. Go back to them." The boy dropped down upon a tree-stump which was near and covered his face with his hands. The two who watched him could see that he was trembling violently.
Arthur is with his family, Captain Stewart is under guard, and your work is done. You ought to be glad even though you are suffering pain." Ste. Marie looked up at her. "Do I seem glad, Coira?" said he. And she said: "You will be glad to-morrow and always, I hope and pray. Always! Always!" The man held one hand over his aching eyes. "I have," he said, "queer half-memories.
I remember only that you called to me called me back and I saw your eyes and I couldn't go. You needed me." "Ah, sorely, Bayard! Sorely!" cried the girl above him. "And now," said he, whispering. "Now?" she said. "Coira, I love you," said the man on the couch. And Coira O'Hara gave a single dry sob. She said: "Oh, my dear love! Now I wish that I might die after hearing you say that.
And when she stopped, he said: "Coira, I can't let you go like this! Are we to simply to go our different ways like this, as if we'd never met at all?" "What else?" said the girl. And there was no answer to that. Their separate ways were determined for them marked plain to see. "But afterward!" he cried. "Afterward after we have got the boy back to his home! What then?"
He tried to imagine what weight such considerations would have with him if it were he who was to marry Coira O'Hara, and he laughed aloud with scorn of them and with great pride in her. But the lad yonder was very young too young; his family would be right to that extent. Would he be able to stand against them? Ste.
Marie trifled with the cat and got one hand well scratched for his trouble, but in five minutes there came a knocking at the door. He laughed a little. "Michel grows ceremonious when it's a question of food," he said. "Entrez, mon vieux!" The door opened, and Ste. Marie caught his breath. "Michel is busy," said Coira O'Hara, "so I have brought your coffee."
Coira held the salts-bottle to Ste. Marie's nostrils, and he gasped and sneezed and tried to turn his head away from it, but it brought him to his senses and doubtless to a good deal of pain. Once when he could not escape the thing he broke into a fit of weak cursing, and the girl laughed over him tenderly and let him be. Very slowly Ste.
Perhaps, even if he decides to go, it would be best for him to wait until night and go with the rest of you. In any case, I'll let you know." She spoke rapidly, as if she were in great haste to be gone, and with averted eyes. And at the end she turned away without any word of farewell, but Ste. Marie started after her. He cried: "Coira! Coira!"
Then Coira O'Hara went back to the man who lay outstretched on the low couch, and knelt beside him, looking into his face. The man stirred, and moved his head slowly. Half-articulate words came from his lips, and she made out that he was saying her name in a dull monotone only her name, over and over again.
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