The Black Moth

"He and myself. You see--he--lectured me--oh! quite kindly--on the errorof my ways, and--it hurt."

"'Tis as well ye are coming to me then, the way things are with ye atpresent."

My lord opened his mouth to speak, encountered a fiery glance, and shutit again.

"Anything to say?" inquired O'Hara with a threatening gleam in his eye.

"No, sir," replied Jack meekly.

"Ye will come?"

"Please."

O'Hara sprang up joyfully.

"Good lad! Lud! but I was afraid at one time--Put on your other bootwhile I go and look for that rascal of yours!" He hurried out of theroom to find Jim, who, having foreseen the result of the contest, wasalready stowing the luggage away on the chaise.

Half-an-hour later, his _adieux_ made, Jim and the baggage following, mylord rode out with O'Hara on his way to Thurze House.

For some time there was silence between the two men, with only aperfunctory remark or two on the fineness of the day and the freshnessof the mare to break it. Carstares' mind was, as his friend well knew,dwelling on all that he had left behind him. His parting with Diana hadbeen quite ordinary, she at least making no sign that he was anythingbeyond a chance acquaintance; indeed, it had almost seemed to him thather attitude was slightly aloof, as if she had drawn a little intoherself. Her hand when he had kissed it had been lifeless and cold, hersmile sweetly remote. He knew that he had held the hand a fraction of aminute longer than was strictly in accordance with the rules of goodmanners, and he feared that he had clasped it in most unseemly wise,pressing it hard against his lips. He wondered whether she had remarkedit. He little guessed that long after he had ridden out of sight, shecontinued to feel that pressure. If he could have seen her passionatelykissing each finger separately for fear her lips might pass over theexact spot his had touched, his heart might have been lighter.

It was true that she had retired into her shell, a little hurt at whatshe termed his man's blind obstinacy. She had laid her heart bare forhim to read; she had offered herself to him as plainly as if she hadspoken in terms less general than in the pleasaunce; she had foughtdesperately for her happiness, thrusting aside all thought of maidenmodesty, and when she afterwards had realised what she had done, andtried to imagine what he must think of her, she had blushed dark, andmentally flayed herself for her lack of proper pride and manners.Terrified that he might think her immodest, overwhelmed with suddenshyness, she had been colder in her attitude towards him, than she hadintended, even in her anxiety not to appear forward. But in

spite ofher coldness, how intensely had she hoped that he would sense her loveand all that she wanted him to know! Incomprehensible the ways of women!

Not endowed with feminine perspicacity or intuition, how could John hopeto understand her dual feelings? He only knew that he had hurt her, andthat she had drawn back that she might not lay herself open to more. Hecould not hope to understand her when she did not fully understandherself.

Reflecting on the swiftness with which love had come to them, hebelieved that with a like swiftness it might fade, at least from Diana'smemory. He told himself that he hoped for that end, but he was honestenough to know that it was the last thing in the world he wanted. Themere thought of Diana indifferent to him, or worse, another man's bride,made him bite on his underlip and tighten his hold on the rein.

O'Hara cast many a surreptitious glance at the stern young profilebeside him, wondering whether his lordship would last out the tediousride or no. He knew enough of Carstares' indomitable courage to believethat he would, but he feared that it would prove too great a strain onhim in his present weakened condition.

Very wisely he made no attempt to draw Carstares out of his abstraction,but continued to push on in silence, past fields knee-deep in grass,soon to be hay, with sorrel and poppies growing apace, along lanes withhedges high above their heads on either side, over hill and downdale--always in silence.

Presently O'Hara fell a little to the rear that he might study hisfriend without palpably turning to do so. He thought he had never seenJack's face wear such a black look. The fine brows almost met over hisnose with only two sharp furrows to separate them; the mouth wascompressed, the chin a little prominent, and the eyes, staring aheadbetween Jenny's nervous ears, seemed to see all without absorbinganything. One hand at his hip was clenched on his riding-whip, the othermechanically guided the mare.

O'Hara found himself admiring the lithe grace of the man, with hisupright carriage and splendid seat.

Suddenly, as if aware that he was being studied, my lord half turned hishead and met O'Hara's eyes. He gave a tiny shrug and with it seemed tothrow off his oppression. The frown vanished, and he smiled.

"I beg your pardon, Miles. I am a surly fellow."

"Mayhap your shoulder troubles you," suggested O'Hara tactfully.

"N-no, I am barely conscious of it. I've no excuse beyond bad mannersand a worse temper."

From thence onward he set himself to entertain his friend, and if hislaugh was sometimes rather forced, at least his wit was enough to keepO'Hara in a pleasurable state of amusement for some miles.

By the time they arrived at Thurze House, Carstares was suspiciouslywhite about the mouth, and there was once more a furrow--this time ofpain--between his brows. But he was able to greet my Lady O'Hara withfitting elegance and to pay her at least three neat, laughingcompliments before O'Hara took him firmly by the arm and marched him tohis room, there to rest and recover before the dinner hour.

Shortly after, Jim arrived, highly contented with his new surroundings,and able to give a satisfactory verdict on Jenny's stalling. He hadquite accepted O'Hara as a friend, after some jealous qualms, and wasnow well pleased that his master should be in his house instead ofroaming the countryside.

At five o'clock, as the gong rang, my lord descended the stairsresplendent in old gold and silver trimmings, determined to be as gayand light-hearted as the occasion demanded, as though there had neverbeen a Diana to upset the whole course of a man's life.

Not for nothing had he fought against the world for six long years.Their teaching had been to hide all feeling beneath a perpetual mask ofnonchalance and wit; never for an instance to betray a hurt, and neverto allow it to appear that he was anything but the most care-free ofmen. The training stood him in good stead now, and even O'Hara wonderedto see him in such spirits after all that had passed. Lady Molly wasdelighted with her guest, admiring his appearance, his fine, courtlymanners, and falling an easy victim to his charm.

O'Hara, watching them, saw with content that his capricious little wifewas really attracted to my lord. It was a high honour, for she was hardto please, and many of O'Hara's acquaintances had been received, if notwith actual coldness, at least not with any degree of warmth.

At the end of the meal she withdrew with the warning that they were notto sit too long over their wine, and that Miles was not to fatigue hislordship.