Greatheart | Page 5

the strength of
a well-modelled though slightly sneering mouth. His eyes were
somewhat deeply set, and shone extraordinarily blue under straight

black brows that met. The man's whole expression was one of dominant
self-assertion. He bore himself like a king.
"Well, Stumpy," he said, "where's Isabel?"
Scott's companion jumped, and beat a swift retreat. Scott smiled a little
as he made reply.
"I have been up to see her. She will be out presently. Biddy had to give
her a sleeping-draught last night."
"Damn!" said the other in a fierce undertone. "Did she call you first?"
"No."
"Then why the devil didn't she? I shall sack that woman. Isabel hasn't a
chance to get well with a mischievous old hag like that always with
her."
"I think Isabel would probably die without her," Stumpy responded in
his quiet voice which presented a vivid contrast to his brother's stormy
utterance. "And Biddy would probably die too--if she consented to go,
which I doubt."
"Oh, damn Biddy! The sooner she dies the better. She's nothing but a
perpetual nuisance. What is Isabel like this morning?"
Scott hesitated, and his brother frowned.
"That's enough. What else could any one expect? Look here, Scott!
This thing has got to end. I shall take that sleeping-stuff away."
"If you can get hold of it," put in Scott drily.
"You must get hold of it. You have ample opportunity. It's all very well
to preach patience, but she has been taking slow poison for seven years.
I am certain of it. It's ridiculous! It's monstrous! It's got to end." He
spoke with impatient finality, his blue eyes challenging remonstrance.

Scott made none. Only after a moment he said, "If you take away one
prop, old chap, you must provide another. A broken thing can't stand
alone. But need we discuss it now? As I told you, she is coming out
presently, and this glorious air is bound to make a difference to her. It
tastes like wine."
It was at this point that the golden-haired girl in red suddenly glided up
and sat down on the bank a few yards away to adjust a skate.
Sir Eustace turned his head, and a sparkle came into his eyes. He
watched her for a moment, then left his brother without further words.
"Can I do that for you?" he asked.
She lifted a flushed face. "Oh, how kind of you! But I have just
managed it. How lovely the ice is this morning!"
She rose with the words, balancing herself with a grace as finished as
his own, and threw him a dazzling smile of gratitude. Scott, from his
post of observation on the bank, decided that she certainly was
beautiful. Her face was almost faultless. And yet it seemed to him that
there was infinitely more of witchery in the face that had laughed from
the window a few minutes before. Almost unconsciously he was
waiting to see the owner of that face emerge.
He watched the inevitable exchange of commonplaces between his
brother and the beautiful Miss de Vigne whose graciousness plainly
indicated her willingness for a nearer acquaintance, and presently he
saw them move away side by side.
"What did I tell you?" said Billy's voice at his shoulder. "But you might
have said that chap belonged to you. How was I to know?"
"Oh, quite so," said Scott. "Pray don't apologize! He doesn't belong to
me either. It is I who belong to him."
Billy's green eyes twinkled appreciatively. "You're his brother, aren't
you?"

Scott looked at him. "Now how on earth did you know that?"
He looked back with his frank, engaging grin. "Oh, there's the same
hang about you. I can't tell you what it is. Dinah would know directly.
You'd better ask her."
"I don't happen to have the pleasure of your sister's acquaintance,"
observed Scott, with his quiet smile.
"Oh, I'll soon introduce you if that's what you want," said Billy. "Come
along! There she is now, just crossing the road. By the way, I don't
think you told me your name."
"My name is Studley--Scott Studley, Stumpy to my friends," said Scott,
in his whimsical, rather weary fashion.
Billy laughed. "You're a sport," he said. "When I know you a bit better,
I shall remember that. Hi, Dinah! What a deuce of a time you've been.
This is Mr. Studley, and he saw you at the window without anything
on."
"I'm sure he didn't! Billy, how dare you?" Dinah's brown face burned
an indignant red; she looked at Scott with instant hostility.
"Oh, please!" he protested mildly. "That's not quite fair on me."
"Serves you right," declared Billy with malicious delight. "You played
me a shabby trick, you know."
Dinah's brow cleared. She smiled upon Scott. "Isn't he a horrid little pig?