Three years of repose had not
yet enabled her to hear her marriage name uttered, or to be
present when past times of deathly suffering and terror were
referred to, without betraying the shock in her face and manner.
Trudaine looked saddened, but in no way surprised by what he saw.
Making a sign to Lomaque to say nothing, he rose and took up his
sister's hood, which lay on a window-seat near him.
"Come, Rose," he said, "the sun is shining, the sweet spring air
is inviting us out. Let us have a quiet stroll along the banks of
the stream. Why should we keep our good friend here cooped up in
this narrow little room, when we have miles and miles of
beautiful landscape to show him on the other side of the
threshold? Come, it is high treason to Queen Nature to remain
indoors on such a morning as this."
Without waiting for her to reply, he put on her hood, drew her
arm through his, and led the way out. Lomaque's face grew grave
as he followed them.
"I am glad I only showed the bright side of my budget of news in
her presence," thought he. "She is not well at heart yet. I might
have hurt her, poor thing! I might have hurt her again sadly, if
I had not held my tongue!"
They walked for a little while down the banks of the stream,
talking of indifferent matters; then returned to the cottage. By
that time Rose had recovered her spirits, and could listen with
interest and amusement to Lomaque's dryly-humorous description of
his life as a clerk at Chalons-sur-Marne.
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