" Barnabas was actually stammering, and he was
looking at her--pleadingly, she knew, but this time my lady kept
her face averted, of course. Wherefore Barnabas sighed, and his
head drooping, stared at the ground again. And after he had stared
thus, for perhaps a full minute, my lady spoke, but with her face
still averted.
"The moon is at the full to-night, I think?"
_Barnabas_ (lifting his head suddenly). "Yes."
_Cleone_ (quite aware of his quick glance). "And--how do you like--the
Duchess?"
_Barnabas_ (staring at the ground again). "I don't know."
_Cleone_ (with unnecessary emphasis). "Why, she is the dearest, best,
cleverest old godmother in all the world, sir!"
_Barnabas_ (humbly). "Yes."
_Cleone_ (with a side glance). "Are you riding back to London to-night?"
_Barnabas_ (nodding drearily). "Yes."
_Cleone_ (watching him more keenly). "It should be glorious to gallop
under a--full-orbed moon."
_Barnabas_ (shaking his head mournfully). "London is a great way
from--here."
_Cleone_ (beginning to twist a ring on her finger nervously).
"Do you remember the madman we met--at Oakshott's Barn?"
_Barnabas_ (sighing).
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