"I am afraid that I have
spoiled your evening."
"Don't be foolish, please," she replied taking his arm. "Do you
believe that my father will be up in the balcony at Imano's
to-night?"
Tavernake nodded.
"He told me so."
"We will go and sit up there," she decided. "He knows where I am
to be found now so it doesn't matter. I should like to see him."
They walked off together. Though she was evidently absent and
distressed, Tavernake felt once more that sense of pleasant
companionship which her near presence always brought him.
"There is something else I must ask you," she began presently.
"I want to know if you have seen Pritchard lately."
"I was with him last night," Tavernake answered.
She shivered.
"He was asking questions?"
"Not about you," Tavernake assured her quickly. "It is your
sister in whom he is interested."
Beatrice nodded, but she seemed very little relieved. Tavernake
could see that the old look of fear was back in her face.
"I am sorry, Beatrice," he said, regretfully. "I seem just now
to be always bringing you reminiscences of the people whom it
terrifies you to hear about."
She shook her head.
"It isn't your fault, Leonard," she declared, "only it is rather
strange that you should be mixed up with them in any way, isn't
it? I suppose some day you'll find out everything about me.
Perhaps you'll be sorry then that you ever even called yourself
my brother."
"Don't be foolish," he answered, brusquely.
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