The low hedge, where the creepers climbed, divided the lawn and its magnificent
Wellingtonias from the meadow. There was little grass to be seen, for it was at
this time one vast profusion of delicate ixias of every bright and tender shade.
The evening was still, and the air heavy with scent. In a room opening upon the
veranda wreathed with white-and-scarlet passion-flowers, where she could see
the garden and the meadow, and, beyond all, the Mountain Beautiful, lay a sick
woman. Her dark face was lovely as an autumn leaf is lovely--hectic with the
passing life. Her eyes wandered to the upper snows of the mountain, from time to
time resting upon the brown-haired English girl who sat on a low stool by her
side, holding the frail hand in her cool, firm clasp.
The invalid was speaking; her voice was curiously sweet, and there was a
peculiarity about the "s," and an occasional turn of the sentence, which told the
listener that her English was an acquired language.
"I am glad he is not here," she said slowly. "I do not want him to have pain."
"But perhaps, Mrs. Denison, you will be much better in a day or two, and able to
welcome him when he comes back."
"No, I shall not be here when he comes back, and it is just as it should be. I
asked him to turn round as he left the garden, and I could see him, oh, so well!
He looked kind and so beautiful, and he waved to me his hand. Now he will come
back, and he will be sad. He did not want to leave me, but the governor sent for
him. He will be sad, and he will remember that I loved him, and some day he will
be glad again." She smiled into the troubled face near her.
The girl stroked the thick dark hair lovingly.
"Don't," she implored; "it hurts me. You are better to-night, and the children are
coming in." Mrs. Denison closed her eyes, and with her left hand she covered her
face.
"No, not the children," she whispered, "not my darlings. I cannot bear it. I must
see them no more." She pressed her companion's hand with a sudden close
pressure. "But you will help them, Alice; you will make them English like you--like
him. We will not pretend to-night; it is not long that I shall speak to you. I ask you
to promise me to help them to be English."
