have to with Uncle’s eye upon him; and Uncle himself— This inner mention of his name brought me up standing. I owed a duty to that uncle. He had entrusted me with a[Pg 41] message. The time to deliver it had come. Orpha must be told and at once that her father wished to see her in his room upstairs. For what purpose he had not said nor was it for me to conjecture. All that I had to do was to fulfill his request. I was glad that I had no choice in the matter. [Pg 41] Leaving my quiet corner I reëntered the court where the dance was at its height. Round and round in a mystic circle the joyous couples swept, to a tune entrancing in melody and rhythm. From their midst the fountain sent up its spray of dazzling drops a-glitter with the colors flashed upon them from the half hidden lights overhead. A fairy scene to the eye of untroubled youth; but to me a maddening one, masking the grief of many hearts with its show of pleasure. What Orpha thought of me as I finally came upon her at the end of the dance, I have often wondered. She appeared startled, possibly because I was looking anything but natural myself. But she smiled in response to my greeting, only to grow sober again, as I quietly informed her that her father was a trifle indisposed and would be glad to see her for a few minutes in his own room. “Papa, ill? I don’t understand,” she murmured. “He is never ill.” Then suddenly, “Where is Edgar?” The question as she uttered it struck me keenly. However I managed to reply in a purposely careless tone: “In the library, I think, where they are practicing some new steps. Shall I take you to him?” She shook her head, but accepted my arm after a show of hesitation quite unconscious I was sure. “No, I will go right up.” Without further words I led her to the foot of the great staircase. As she withdrew her arm from mine she turned her face towards me. Its look of trouble smote sorely on my heart. [Pg 42] [Pg 42] “Shall I go up with you?” I asked.
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