I am confined to my bed by a severe
attack of bronchitis. Pray express to her Majesty my most respectful
thanks as well as my profound regret. I shall hope to be able to leave
my room at the week's end, when, if her Majesty can be prevailed upon
again to accord me an audience, I shall be infinitely grateful.'
'There!' he muttered. 'I have perjured my soul for you, and made
myself appear ridiculous into the bargain. _Bronchitis_! But--_a
demain_! Good--good Lord! if she shouldn't come?'
XIV.
She came, followed by a groom. She greeted Paul with a smile that made
his heart leap with a wild hope. Her groom led Bezigue away to the
stables.
'Thank you,' said Paul.
'For what?'
'For everything. For coming. For that smile.'
'Oh.'
They walked about the garden. 'It is lovely. The prettiest garden of
the neighbourhood,' she said. 'Show me where the irises grow, by the
pond.' And when they had arrived there, 'They do look like princesses,
don't they? Your little friend had some perceptions. Show me where you
and she used to sit down. I am tired.'
He led her into a corner of the rosery. She sank upon the turf.
'It is nice here,' she said, 'and quite shut in. One would never know
there was a house so near.'
She had taken off one of her gloves. Her soft white hand lay languidly
in her lap.
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