"They all believe that the war will last two or three years longer,"
she said huskily. "I cannot go back to my own country till it is all
over. They implore me to remain here with them until--until my
fortunes are mended." She turned to Mrs. Courtney and went on without
the slightest trace of indecision or embarrassment in her manner. "You
see, Mrs. Courtney, I am very, very poor. They have taken everything.
I--I fear I shall have to accept the kind, the generous proffer of a--"
her voice shook slightly--"of a home with my friends until the Huns
are driven out."
Barnes's silence was more eloquent than words. Her eyes fell. Mrs.
Courtney's words of sympathy passed unheard; her bitter excoriation of
the Teutons and Turks was but dimly registered on the inattentive mind
of the victim of their ruthless greed; not until she expressed the
hope that Miss Cameron would condescend to accept the hospitality of
her home until plans for the future were definitely fixed was there a
sign that the object of her concern had given a thought to what she
was saying.
"You are so very kind," stammered the Countess. "But I cannot think of
imposing upon--"
"Leave it to me, Ede," said Barnes gently, and, laying his hand upon
his sister's arm, he led her from the room.
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