Suddenly her glance fell and she covered her burning cheeks; and,
glancing up from earth to sky, I felt a vague wonder to see them all
unchanged.
"O Diana," said I, a little breathlessly. "O Diana, don't cry! And
forgive me for misjudging you, I--I was ashamed, but I would have gone
to prison for you gladly just the same. I'm--humbly sorry; you see, it
was--that duck and the man's three guineas. Only don't--don't sob so
bitterly, Diana, or I shall have to--kiss you again."
At this, she walked on once more, though she kept her gaze averted.
Far before us strode Jessamy who, reaching a five-barred gate, took a
run and cleared it with a graceful ease that filled me with envious
admiration. Reaching this same gate in due course, I clambered over
and, from the other side, proffered Diana my assistance, but she
merely scowled and setting hand to the top bar, over she came with a
vision of shapely limbs and flutter of petticoats.
"You have very pretty ankles!" said I impulsively.
"Don't be foolish!" she retorted, with a petulant fling of her
shoulder; and after a moment, "what are my ankles to you?" she
demanded sullenly.
"A great deal, seeing they will belong to me some day."
"Never--oh, never!" she cried, between clenched teeth. "I'm done wi'
you, young man."
"Folly!" I retorted. "Don't be silly, young woman."
"I'll--I'll run away--"
"Very well," said I, nodding, "then I'll find you again if it costs me
every penny of my heritage!" At this she turned with clenched fists,
but seeing me stand prepared, walked on again.
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