Part 9 (1/2)

They walked in silence through the woods. Clouds hid the moon, and the wind had risen.

Peter had dreary thoughts. He felt like a ghost in the ghost-like unreality of existence. The walk through the melancholy dimness seemed symbolical of a wandering, aimless life. The touch of Hilda Archinard's little hand in his was comforting. When they had pa.s.sed through the Priory shrubbery and were nearing the house, Hilda's step beside him paused.

”Will you kiss me 'Good-bye' here, not before them all?”

”What beastly things 'Good-byes' are,” Odd said, looking down at the glimmering oval of her uplifted face; ”what thoroughly beastly things.”

He took the little face between his hands and kissed her: ”Good-bye, dear little Hilda.”

”Thank you so much--for everything,” she said.

”Thank you, my child. I shall not forget you.”

”Don't be different. _Try_ not to change.”

”Ah, Hilda! Hilda!”

That she, not he, would change was the inevitable thing. He stooped and kissed again the child beside him.

Part I

KATHERINE

CHAPTER I

Odd knew that he was late as he drove down the Champs Elysees in a rattling, closed _fiacre_. He and Besseint had talked so late into the evening that he had barely had time to get to his hotel in the Marboeuf quarter and dress.

Besseint was one of the cleverest French writers of the day; he and Peter had battled royally and delightfully over the art of writing, and as Besseint was certainly more interesting than would be the dinner at the Emba.s.sy, Peter felt himself excusable.

Lady---- welcomed him unresentfully--

”Just, only just in time. I am going to send you down with Miss Archinard--over there talking to my husband--she is such a clever girl.”

Peter was conscious of a shock of surprise; a shock so strong that Lady---- saw a really striking change come over his face. Peter himself was startled by his own pleasure and eagerness.

”Evidently you know her; and evidently you _were_ going to be bored and are _not_ going to be now! Your change of expression is really unflattering!” Lady---- laughed good humoredly.

”I haven't seen her for ten years; we were the greatest chums. Oh! it isn't Hilda, then!” Odd caught sight of the young lady.

”I am _very_ sorry it isn't 'Hilda.' Hilda is the beauty; she is, unfortunately, almost an unknown quant.i.ty; but Katherine will be a stepping-stone, and I a.s.sure you that she is worth cultivation on her own account.”

Yes, Katherine was a stepping-stone; that atoned somewhat for the disappointment that Odd felt as he followed his hostess across the room.

”Miss Archinard--an old friend. Mr. Odd tells me he has not seen you for ten years.”

”Mr. Odd!” cried Miss Archinard. She was evidently very glad to see him.

”It is astonis.h.i.+ng, isn't it?” said Peter. ”Ten years does mean something, doesn't it?”