Лето

           Butshehadnomeansoffindingoutwhethersomeactofhostilityonhisparthadmadetheyoungmanstayaway,orwhetherhesimplywishedtoavoidseeingheragainaftertheirdrivebackfromthebrownhouse.Sheatehersupperwithastudiedshowofindifference,butsheknewthatMr.Royallwaswatchingherandthatheragitationdidnotescapehim.

           Aftersuppershewentuptoherroom.SheheardMr.Royallcrossthepassage,andpresentlythesoundsbelowherwindowshowedthathehadreturnedtotheporch.Sheseatedherselfonherbedandbegantostruggleagainstthedesiretogodownandaskhimwhathadhappened.“I’dratherdiethandoit,”shemutteredtoherself.Withawordhecouldhaverelievedheruncertainty:butneverwouldshegratifyhimbysayingit.

           Sheroseandleanedoutofthewindow.Thetwilighthaddeepenedintonight,andshewatchedthefrailcurveoftheyoungmoondroppingtotheedgeofthehills.Throughthedarknessshesawoneortwofiguresmovingdowntheroad;buttheeveningwastoocoldforloitering,andpresentlythestrollersdisappeared.Lampswerebeginningtoshowhereandthereinthewindows.AbaroflightbroughtoutthewhitenessofaclumpofliliesintheHawes’syard:andfartherdownthestreetCarrickFry’sRochesterlampcastitsboldilluminationontherusticflower-tubinthemiddleofhisgrass-plot.

           Foralongtimeshecontinuedtoleaninthewindow.Butafeverofunrestconsumedher,andfinallyshewentdownstairs,tookherhatfromitshook,andswungoutofthehouse.Mr.