“_Vera incessu patuit dea_,” murmured Hugh, and then he added, a little wistfully, “they _do_ look jolly!”
“You’d look just as jolly far off, in that light, Hugh,” said Dick, who was sitting blinking at his flowers, like a large, contented tom-cat.
The younger men who, with the exception of Guy, had been walking up and down between the hawthorn hedge, smoking cigars and deep in talk—probably about the War—went and joined the four girls; and after a few moments of general chatter Arnold flung his arm round Concha’s shoulder and Teresa could hear him saying: “Come on, Conch,” and they wandered off by themselves. She was glad; for she knew that Concha had felt acutely the estrangement from Arnold caused by his jealousy at her engagement.
Then Rory came and joined the party on the lawn, and sat down on the grass at the feet of Lady Cust.
“Well, what about a little Bridge?” said Dick, and he, Hugh, Sir Roger, and Colonel Dundas, went indoors for a rubber.
Shortly afterwards Lady Cust and Rory wandered off together in the direction of the lavender.
“Well, Rorrocks, so you’re really going to do it?”
“Yes, Aunt May, I’m in for it this time ... the great adventure!” and he laughed a little nervously, “Concha ... she ... don’t you think she’s pretty?”
“Awfully pretty, Rory, I do really ... a dear thing!”
They felt that there were many things they wanted to say to each other, these two; but, apart from reserve and false shame, they would have found it hard to express these things in words.
“Well, time does fly! It seems just the other day that I was scurrying up to Edinburgh for your christening ... and Fran ... Guy was only a year old.”
“Yes, ... I can hardly believe it myself,” and again he gave a little nervous laugh.
“Well, dear old thing,” and she laid a hand on his arm, “I’m your godmother, you know, and your mother and I ... I don’t believe we were ever away from each other till I married ... you’re sure ... it’s going to be all right, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Aunt May, it’s going to be all right.... I’m sure,” and again he laughed; and although he was very pale, his eyes were bright and happy.
“Shall we go and walk down the border and look beautiful too?” said Guy to Teresa.
“Well, and what about the play?” he asked, when they were out of ear-shot.