Літо
VII
Butmixedwiththisfeelingwasanother:thewonderingprideinhislikingforher,thestartledsoftnessthathissympathyhadputintoherheart.Sometimes,whenheryouthflushedupinher,shehadimaginedyieldinglikeothergirlstofurtivecaressesinthetwilight;butshecouldnotsocheapenherselftoHarney.Shedidnotknowwhyhewasgoing;butsincehewasgoingshefeltshemustdonothingtodefacetheimageofherthathecarriedaway.Ifhewantedherhemustseekher:hemustnotbesurprisedintotakingherasgirlslikeJuliaHawesweretaken....
Nosoundcamefromthesleepingvillage,andinthedeepdarknessofthegardensheheardnowandthenasecretrustleofbranches,asthoughsomenight-birdbrushedthem.Onceafootfallpassedthegate,andsheshrankbackintohercorner;butthestepsdiedawayandleftaprofounderquiet.HereyeswerestillonHarney’stormentedface:shefeltshecouldnotmovetillhemoved.Butshewasbeginningtogrownumbfromherconstrainedposition,andattimesherthoughtsweresoindistinctthatsheseemedtobeheldthereonlybyavagueweightofweariness.
Alongtimepassedinthisstrangevigil.Harneystilllayonthebed,motionlessandwithfixedeyes,asthoughfollowinghisvisiontoitsbitterend.Atlasthestirredandchangedhisattitudeslightly,andCharity’sheartbegantotremble.Butheonlyflungouthisarmsandsankbackintohisformerposition.Withadeepsighhetossedthehairfromhisforehead;thenhiswholebodyrelaxed,hisheadturnedsidewaysonthepillow,andshesawthathehadfallenasleep
