Hetty, said Cheyne, I cant allow anyone to malign you, even if its yourself, and if you have any faults, my dear, Ill take them with the rest. In fact, I would be glad of one or two. They would only bring you a little nearer to me.
The girl lifted her hand and silenced him. Jake, she said appealingly, please take your answer and go away.
If I could only be fond of you in the right way I would, but I cant, you see. It is not my fault it isnt in me.
The man recognized the finality in her tone, but, feeling that it was useless, made a last endeavour.
Im going away to-morrow, he said. You might think differently when I come back again.
The girls voice quivered a little. No, she said. I have to be straightforward now, and I know you will try to make it easier for me, even if Im hurting you. Its no use. I shall think the same, and by and by youll get over this fancy, and wonder what you ever saw in me.
The man smiled curiously. I am afraid it will take me a lifetime, he said.
In another moment he had gone, and Hetty turned, a trifle flushed in face, towards the house across the lawn.
He took it very well and I shall never find anyone half so nice again, she said.
It was half an hour later, and Miss Torrance had recovered at least her outward serenity, when one of Mrs. Schuylers neighbours arrived. She brought one or two young women, and a man, with her. The latter she presented to Mrs. Schuyler.
Mr. Reginald Clavering, she said. Hes from the prairie where Miss Torrances father lives, and is staying a day or two with us. When I heard he knew Hetty I ventured to bring him over.
Mrs. Schuyler expressed her pleasure, and for they had gone back to the lighted room now Hetty presently found herself seated face to face with the stranger. He was a tall, well-favoured man, slender, and lithe in movement, with dark eyes and hair, and a slightly sallow face that suggested that he was from the South. It also seemed fitting that he was immaculately dressed, for there was a curious gracefulness about him that still had in it a trace of insolence. No one would have mistaken him for a Northerner.
It was only an hour ago I found we were so near, and I insisted upon coming across at once, he said. You have changed a good deal since you left the prairie.
Yes, said the girl drily. Is it very astonishing? You see, we dont spend half our time on horseback here. You didnt expect to find me a sharp-tongued Amazon still?
Clavering laughed as he looked at her, but the approval of what he saw was a trifle too evident in his black eyes.
Well, he said languidly, you were our Princess then, and there was only one of your subjects homage you never took kindly to. That was rough on him, because he was at least as devoted as the rest.
That, said the girl, with a trace of acerbity, was because he tried to patronize me. Even if I havent the right to it, I like respect.
Clavering made a little gesture, and the deference in it was at least half sincere. You command it, and I must try to make amends. Now, dont you want to hear about your father and the Range?
No, said Hetty. I had a talk with Larry to-day.
In New York?
Yes. At the depot. He is going back to-morrow. You seem astonished?
Clavering appeared thoughtful. Well, its Chicago he usually goes to.
Usually? said Hetty. I scarcely remember him leaving Fremont once in three years.
Clavering laughed. Then he leaves it a good deal more often now. A man must have a little diversion when he lives as we do, and no doubt Larry feels lonely. You are here, and Heloise Durand has gone away.
Hetty understood the implication, for she had some notion how the men who spent months together in the solitude of the prairie amused themselves in the cities. Nor had she and most of her neighbours wholly approved of the liberal views held by Heloise Durand. She had, however, an unquestioning belief in Larry, and none in the man beside her.
I scarcely think you need have been jealous of him, she said. Larry wasnt Miss Durands kind, and he couldnt be lonely. Everybody was fond of him.
Clavering nodded. Of course! Still, Larry hasnt quite so many friends lately.
Now, said Hetty with a little flash in her eyes, when youve told me that you have got to tell the rest. What has he been doing?
Ploughing! said Clavering drily. I did what I could to restrain him, but nobody ever could argue with Larry.
Hetty laughed, though she felt a little dismay. It was then a serious affair to drive the wheat furrow in a cattle country, and the man who did it was apt to be regarded as an iconoclast. Nevertheless, she would not show that she recognized it.
Well, she said, that isnt very dreadful. The plough is supreme in the Dakotas and Minnesota now. Sooner or later it has got to find a place in our country.
Still, thats not going to happen while your father lives.
The girl realized the truth of this, but she shook her head. Were not here to talk wheat and cattle, and I
see Flo Schuyler looking at us, she said. Go across and make yourself agreeable to the others for the honour of the prairie.