She looked up pertly at Arnold, after giving one comprehensive glance over Ruth’s toilet.
“We both wished to see the orchids of which one hears,” he answered, with pronounced French accent and idiom; adding, with a slight smile, “I did not overlook you, but you were so busily contemplating other ground that it would have been cruelty to disturb you.” He spoke the language slowly, as a stranger upon foreign ground.
“Oh, yes; I forgot. Dr. Kemp, are you acquainted with the Queen of Sheba and her doughty knight Louis, surnamed Arnold?” She paused a moment as the parties acknowledged the curious introduction, and then broke in rather breathlessly: “There, Doctor, I shall leave you with royalty; do not let your republican ignorance forget her proper title. Mr. Arnold, Mrs. Merrill is beckoning to us; will you come?” and with a naive, superbly impish look at Ruth, she drew Arnold away before he could murmur an excuse.
At the impertinent words the soft, rich blood suffused Ruth’s face.
“Will you sit here awhile and wait for Mr. Arnold, or shall we go and see the orchids?” The pleasant, deep voice broke in upon her confusion and calmed her self-consciousness. She raised her eyes to the dark, clever face above her; it was a strong, rather than a handsome face. From the broad sweep of the forehead above the steady scrutiny of the gray eyes, to the grave lip and firm chin under the dark, pointed beard, strength and gentleness spoke in every line. His personality bore the stamp of a letter of credit.
“Thank you,” said she; “I think I shall sit here. My cousin will probably be back soon.”
The doctor seated himself beside her. Miss Gwynne’s appellation was not inaptly chosen, still he would have preferred to know her more conventional title.
“This is a peaceful little corner,” he said. “Do you notice how removed it seems from the rest of the room?”
“Yes,” she answered, meeting and disconcerting his pleasantly questioning look with one of swift resolve. “Dr. Kemp, I wish to tell you that my father has confided to me your joint secret.”
“Your father?” he looked bewildered; his knowledge
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