Then, even as she did so, sprang to her
feet, and laughed, a little tremulously, and bade Sir Mortimer Go! Go!
Go! 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, because she knew what look was in his eyes, she kept her own
averted; and because she was a woman young, and very proud, she
lashed him with her tongue.
"So much for your watching and listening!" said she.
"But--he has your rose!" said Barnabas.
"And what of that?"
"And he has your promise!"
"I never spoke--"
"But the rose did!"
"The rose will fade and wither--"
"But it bears your promise--"
"I gave no promise, and--and--oh, why did you--look at me!"
"Look at you?"
"Why did you frown at me?"
"Why did you give him the rose?"
"Because it was so my pleasure. Why did you frown at me with eyes
like--like a devil's?"
"I wanted to kill him--then!"
"And now?"
"Now, I wish him well of his bargain, and my thanks are due to him.
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