Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter IX. Dr. Bauerstein
IshallgoforthatfellowJapp,whenInextseehim!”
“LotofPaulPrys,”gruntedMissHoward.
Lawrenceopinedthattheyhadtomakeashowofdoingsomething.
MaryCavendishsaidnothing.
Aftertea,IinvitedCynthiatocomeforawalk,andwesaunteredoffintothewoodstogether.
“Well?”Iinquired,assoonaswewereprotectedfrompryingeyesbytheleafyscreen.
Withasigh,Cynthiaflungherselfdown,andtossedoffherhat.Thesunlight,piercingthroughthebranches,turnedtheauburnofherhairtoquiveringgold.
“Mr.Hastings—youarealwayssokind,andyouknowsuchalot.”
ItstruckmeatthismomentthatCynthiawasreallyaverycharminggirl!MuchmorecharmingthanMary,whoneversaidthingsofthatkind.
“Well?”Iaskedbenignantly,asshehesitated.
“Iwanttoaskyouradvice.WhatshallIdo?”
“Do?”
“Yes.Yousee,AuntEmilyalwaystoldmeIshouldbeprovidedfor.Isupposesheforgot,ordidn’tthinkshewaslikelytodie—anyway,Iamnotprovidedfor!AndIdon’tknowwhattodo.DoyouthinkIoughttogoawayfromhereatonce?”
“Goodheavens,no!Theydon’twanttopartwithyou,I’msure.”
Cynthiahesitatedamoment,pluckingupthegrasswithhertinyhands.Thenshesaid:“Mrs.Cavendishdoes.Shehatesme.”
“Hatesyou?”Icried,astonished.
Cynthianodded.
“Yes.Idon’tknowwhy,butshecan’tbearme;andhecan’t,either.”
“ThereIknowyou’rewrong,”Isaidwarmly.“Onthecontrary,Johnisveryfondofyou.”
“Oh,yes—John.
