Літо
XIV
Astheycircledaboutthefloorallhervainfearsdroppedfromher,andsheevenforgotthatshewasprobablydancinginAnnabelBalch’sslippers.
WhenthewaltzwasoverHarney,withalasthand-clasp,lefthertomeetMissHatchardandMissBalch,whowerejustentering.CharityhadamomentofanguishasMissBalchappeared;butitdidnotlast.Thetriumphantfactofherowngreaterbeauty,andofHarney’ssenseofit,sweptherapprehensionsaside.MissBalch,inanunbecomingdress,lookedsallowandpinched,andCharityfanciedtherewasaworriedexpressioninherpale-lashedeyes.ShetookaseatnearMissHatchardanditwaspresentlyapparentthatshedidnotmeantodance.Charitydidnotdanceofteneither.HarneyexplainedtoherthatMissHatchardhadbeggedhimtogiveeachoftheothergirlsaturn;buthewentthroughtheformofaskingCharity’spermissioneachtimeheledoneout,andthatgaveherasenseofsecrettriumphevencompleterthanwhenshewaswhirlingabouttheroomwithhim.
Shewasthinkingofallthisasshewaitedforhiminthedesertedhouse.Thelateafternoonwassultry,andshehadtossedasideherhatandstretchedherselfatfulllengthontheMexicanblanketbecauseitwascoolerindoorsthanunderthetrees.Shelaywithherarmsfoldedbeneathherhead,gazingoutattheshaggyshoulderoftheMountain.Theskybehinditwasfullofthesplinteredgloriesofthedescendingsun,andbeforelongsheexpectedtohearHarney’sbicycle-bellinthelane.
