"I beg your pardon?" asked O'Hara, startled.
My lady traced patterns on his knee.
"Provided, of course, that I had not already married you, Miles."
But O'Hara had seen the smile. He heaved a great sigh, and said inlugubrious tones:
"There is always the river, madam."
My lady's finger wavered and stopped, and her hand tucked itself awayinto his.
"That is not a nice joke, Miles."
He laughed, and tweaked one of her curls.
"Sure, and did ye not ask for it, asthore?"
"Of course I did not. But about Jack, dear--"
"I thought it _was_ about Jack?"
"Miles, will you be quiet and attend?"
"Yes, m'dear."
"Very well, then. As I have told you, I drove over to Littledeanyesterday afternoon, and made the acquaintance of the Miss Beauleighs."
"And what did ye think of them?"
"I thought Diana was wonderfully beautiful--such eyes, Miles!--and suchhair! Miss Beauleigh is very amiable, and so droll! I drank a dish oftay with them, and I spoke of Jack--"
"Madcap, never tell me ye called him Carstares?"
"No, you great gaby! Of course I did not. As it chanced, Miss Beauleighmentioned him first, and she called him Mr. Carr. So I did, too. And Inoticed that Diana said scarce a word about him, and when she did 'twasof the coolest. That, of course, made me all the more certain that sheloved him."
O'Hara was plainly puzzled.
"But why should you be certain if she did not speak of him, alanna?"
"'Tis what you'll never understand, my dear, because you are but a man.But no matter--I knew. I quite adored Diana, and determined to talk toher alone. So I admired the roses, and she offered to escort me roundthe garden, which was what I wanted. We went out together. I think Dianamust have liked me, for--"
"Nonsense!"
"Be quiet, Miles!--for she dropped her ice and became quite friendly.And I talked a lot."
She was aware of a convulsive movement above her, and a suppressedcough. She raised inquiring eyebrows.
"Well, sir?"
"Nothing, asthore--nothing. Go on with the tale--you were saying--"
"That I talked a lot." She paused, and her eyes dared him; then shedimpled and dropped her lashes over them. "I shan't tell you all Isaid--"
A relieved sigh interrupted her.
"And if you continue to behave in this disagreeable fashion I shall notsay another word about anything!"
Having satisfied herself that he was not going to venture a retort, shecontinued: