Ingram called her to him. "Sancie, come here a minute. I want you." She
turned her head and looked at him, then slowly crossed the room. She kept
her eyes upon him, but did not seem to see him. They were haunted eyes.
She came in front of him, and stood, questing his face, as if she was
trying to see him within it.
He continued to smile jauntily, but his lips twitched with the strain. He
put his arm round her shoulder and drew her towards him. "This day month,
my girl," he said, and kissed her. She stiffened at his touch. Her lips
were cold, and made him shiver. His arm fell back. "Pooh! what do you
care?" She stood in her place before him without speaking. If she had
looked at him she might have stricken him blind. When Lady Maria came in,
she moved away, and returned to the window. The glow had almost gone;
nothing remained but wan blue, white towards the horizon. It was the
colour of death; but a single star shone out in it.
Chevenix came in briskly, fastening his sleeve-links. "Here is the Perfect
Chaperon, here is he!" he said, and bowed to Lady Maria. "My dear Aunt
Wenman, you've no notion how hungry I am. We saw Senhouse teaching the
hares their catechism.
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