The Keepers of the People

1499He rose; took it, and raised it to his lips; and, as he pressed them to it, again felt her shudder to their touch. Then in a breath she was in his arms, and he was crying, “I love you! I love you! Tell me you love me too!”

1500Vashti raised her face full in the moonlight; and thrust him off, with the strength of convulsed muscles, to the length of her arms: her eyes were wide, her face white and strained, her very body writhing in the effort to express her passion. But along the sealed ways of her speech came only a faint, harsh murmur. Great tears at her impotence burst from her eyes; and flinging her arms round his neck, she strained her body against his in a paroxysm of choking sobs. He was trembling with the violence of his joy and pity: and kissing her again and again, sank down, holding her in his arms on the cushioned marble.

1501In such a stress of emotion neither saw Althea coming swiftly through the trees. She stood before them a moment looking, in a wonder, at their transfigured faces; then she cried, “Vashti! George!”

1502They stared at her with dazed eyes; then Vashti who was still shaken by sobbing, ran to her and hid her face on her shoulder. Althea put an arm round her, and stroking her hair, said softly, “Don’t, Vashti, don’t.”

1503Then looking over her shoulder at Lord Lisdor, she said hotly, “Why couldn’t you leave her alone, George? It is a shame! You know that, not speaking, she is no more than a grown child.”

1504At Althea’s angry words, Vashti sprang to his side, and faced her with flashing eyes.

1505“She’s nothing of the kind,” said Lord Lisdor stubbornly, slipping his arm round her.

1506“You ought to have left her alone!” said Althea, not heeding Vashti’s gestures that she should be silent.

1507“Well, I haven’t,” said Lord Lisdor. “It’s no use your interfering. You are too late. Besides, it’s no business of yours.”

1508“It’s no use your quarrelling with me,” said Althea more gently, “I see you don’t know what you’ve done, or the danger you’re in. Come Vashti, you must go to your rooms, and leave me to talk to George. You don’t want him killed, I suppose. You must go!” and she stamped her foot.