"'The Brigades'--in two months' time," he replied.
"The 'King' will run, I suppose?" she asked.
"Yes, and I shall ride him," said Adrien quietly. "After an accident
such as has occurred, none shall ride him save myself; then if anything
should happen----"
"Ah! no! no!" cried Lady Constance, her face paling, and her blue eyes
full of alarm; "you mustn't!--you shan't!" She stopped short. "I mean,"
she went on, speaking more quietly, "you must think what it would be--to
your father--and auntie----"
"And you," he said eagerly, catching at her hands. "Would you care,
too?"
She gently drew her fingers from his grasp.
"Of course I should," she replied, in her usual quiet tones. "Am I not a
sort of cousin?"
"Constance," he broke in passionately, "I have no right to speak to you,
I know; but tell me just this, if--if----"
Alas! for Adrien. Alas! for poor Lady Constance. The book in Miss
Penelope's hand had slid quickly from her grasp, as she sat dozing near
the fire-place. At this, the most critical moment, it came with a sudden
crash to the floor, and Miss Penelope opened her eyes, and sat up
briskly.
Nothing more could be said under the circumstances, and Adrien was
perforce obliged to spend the evening as best he might, turning over the
pages of his cousin's music, and watching her with longing, ardent eyes;
while Miss Penelope sat near by, tactlessly wide awake.
Presently she glanced up.
"Adrien, did you ask your father about the ball?" she asked.
Her nephew looked abashed. Truth to tell, he had completely forgotten
it.
"No," he admitted candidly, "I did not. But forgive me, this time; I
will ask him to-night."
A little later the ladies rose to retire.
"Good-night, my dear boy," said Miss Penelope, gathering up her precious
book and chocolates. "You go to town to-morrow? Oh, then, I shall not
see you again. Good-bye; and don't forget about the ball."
Adrien held the door open for her, and she passed out; then he closed it
again.
"Good-night, Constance," he said, gazing longingly into his cousin's
face.
"Good-night," she said, giving him her hand. "Good-night, and a pleasant
journey."
"Will you not wish me a speedy return?"
"That might be an ill wish," she answered lightly--"if you did not care
to come."
"You know I do," he whispered, and he raised her fingers to his lips.