Wingrave's face darkened, and the shadow of evil crept into his
suddenly altered expression. It was an abrupt awakening this, and he
hated the man who had brought it about.
Aynesworth held the girl's hands for a moment, but his manner was
sufficient evidence of the spirit in which he had come. He drew a
little breath, and he looked from one to the other anxiously.
"Is this--your mysterious guardian, Juliet?" he asked hoarsely.
She glanced at Wingrave questioningly. His expression was ominous, and
the light faded from her own face. While she hesitated, Wingrave
spoke.
"I imagine," he said, "that the fact is fairly obvious. What have you
to say about it?"
"A good deal," Aynesworth answered passionately. "Juliet, please go
away. I must speak to your guardian--alone!"
Again she looked at Wingrave. He pointed to the house.
"I think," he said, "that you had better go."
She hesitated. Something of the impending storm was already manifest.
Aynesworth turned suddenly towards her.
"You shall not enter that house again, Juliet," he declared. "Stay in
the gardens there, and presently you shall know why."
THE AWAKENING
Wingrave had risen to his feet. He was perfectly calm, but there was a
look on his face which Juliet had never seen there before.
Instinctively she drew a little away, and Aynesworth took his place
between them.
"Are you mad, Aynesworth?" Wingrave asked coolly.
Pages:
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269