"I also wanted to--ask you--about your cheek," said she at last.
"Yes?" said Barnabas.
"You are quite sure it doesn't--pain you, Mr. Bev--"
"Must I remind you that my name--"
"Are you quite sure--Barnabas?"
"Quite sure--yes, oh yes!" he stammered.
"Because it--glows very red!" she sighed, though indeed she still
kept her gaze averted, "so will you please--stoop your head a little?"
Wonderingly Barnabas obeyed, and then--even as he did so, she leaned
swiftly towards him, and for an instant her soft, warm mouth rested
upon his cheek. Then, before he could stay her, she was off and away;
and her flying feet had borne her out of sight.
Then Barnabas sighed, and would have followed, but the ancient
finger-post barred his way with its two arms pointing:--
TO HAWKHURST. TO LONDON.
So he stopped, glanced about him to fix the hallowed place in his
memory, and, obeying the directing finger, set off London-wards.
CHAPTER XXIII
HOW BARNABAS SAVED HIS LIFE--BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID
On went Barnabas swift of foot and light of heart, walking through a
World of Romance, and with his eyes turned up to the luminous heaven.
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