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Updated: June 8, 2025
But I wonder Burke would allow you to have anything to do with it. He has a reputation for being rather particular." "He is particular," Sylvia said. Somehow she could not bring herself to tell Mrs. Merston the actual cause of Guy's illness. She did not want to talk of it. But Mrs. Merston was difficult to silence.
Merston went out again into the blinding sunlight to greet his host, and Sylvia turned to the thin, pinched woman beside her. "I expect you would like to come inside and take off your hat and wash. It is hot, isn't it? Shall we go in and get respectable?" She spoke with that winning friendliness of hers that few could resist. Mrs. Merston's lined face softened almost in spite of itself.
"I couldn't possibly do that, thank you. There is so much to be seen to at home. It is very kind of you, but please don't suggest it to Burke!" Mrs. Merston gave her an odd look. "Do you always do as your husband tells you!" she said. "What a mistake!" Sylvia blushed very deeply. "I think one ought," she said in a low voice. "How old-fashioned of you!" said Mrs. Merston.
She answered him without difficulty, though she could not restrain a quick flush at his words. It was thus then that Burke had defended her honour and his own! "It wasn't a very nice Journey of course, but I managed it all right. Mr. Kelly has promised to look after Guy." "He'll do it then," said Merston reassuringly. "He's a grand chap is Kelly.
The elder woman leaned upon the younger, and, perhaps in consequence of this, Sylvia's energy seemed inexhaustible. She amazed Bill Merston by her capacity for work. She lifted the burden that had pressed so heavily upon her friend, and manfully mastered every difficulty that arose.
Looking back at him, Sylvia saw him, brown, muscular, firm as a rock, and an odd little thrill went through her. There was a species of rugged magnificence about him that moved her strangely. The splendid physique of the man had never shown to fuller advantage. Perhaps the glory of the sunset intensified the impression, but he seemed to her great. Merston was dragging forth her belongings.
She nodded without speaking, absorbed in her work. He came to a stand on the opposite side of the table, watching her. He was quite well aware that Matilda Merston did not like him. She had never scrupled to let him know it. The whirr of the machine rose between them. She was working fast and furiously. He waited with absolute patience till she flung him a word. "Sit down!"
As she reached it, she heard Merston returning, and without a backward look she took up her suit-case and turned to enter. There was a burning sensation as of tears in her throat, but she kept them from her eyes by sheer determination, and Merston noticed nothing. "Go straight in!" he said to her with cheery hospitality. "You'll find my wife inside. She's cooking the supper.
Burke tells me what to do, and I do it." "You'll soon lose your complexion if you go out riding in this heat and dust," said Mrs. Merston. "Oh, I hope not," Sylvia laughed again. "If I do, I daresay I shan't miss it much. It's rather fun to feel that sort of thing doesn't matter. Ah, here is Burke coming now!" She glanced up at the thudding of his horse's hoofs.
But she had to face it at last. You forced her to open her eyes. And now she knows the truth. She will do her duty, because you are her husband and there is no escape. But it will be bondage to her as long as she lives. You have taken all the youth and the joy out of her life." There was a fierce ring of passion in the words. For once Matilda Merston glowed with life.
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