Лето

           Hiswordshadbeenmorefraternalthanlover-like;butshehadlosttheirexactsenseinthecaressingwarmthofhisvoice.HehadmadeherfeelthatthefactofherbeingawaiffromtheMountainwasonlyanotherreasonforholdinghercloseandsoothingherwithconsolatorymurmurs;andwhenthedrivewasover,andshegotoutofthebuggy,tired,cold,andachingwithemotion,shesteppedasifthegroundwereasunlitwaveandshethesprayonitscrest.

           Why,then,hadhismannersuddenlychanged,andwhydidheleavethelibrarywithMr.Miles?HerrestlessimaginationfastenedonthenameofAnnabelBalch:fromthemomentithadbeenmentionedshefanciedthatHarney’sexpressionhadaltered.AnnabelBalchatagarden-partyatSpringfield,looking“extremelyhandsome”...perhapsMr.MileshadseenherthereattheverymomentwhenCharityandHarneyweresittingintheHyatts’hovel,betweenadrunkardandahalf-wittedoldwoman!Charitydidnotknowexactlywhatagarden-partywas,butherglimpseoftheflower-edgedlawnsofNettletonhelpedhertovisualizethescene,andenviousrecollectionsofthe“oldthings”whichMissBalchavowedly“woreout”whenshecametoNorthDormermadeitonlytooeasytopictureherinhersplendour.Charityunderstoodwhatassociationsthenamemusthavecalledup,andfelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainsttheunseeninfluencesinHarney’slife.

           Whenshecamedownfromherroomforsupperhewasnotthere;andwhileshewaitedintheporchsherecalledthetoneinwhichMr.Royallhadcommentedthedaybeforeontheirearlystart.Mr.