Then he said hoarsely:
"Oh! Babs, you madden me so!"
Smoothing her lips, as if to regain control of them, she answered:
"Yes, I think I have had enough," and went out into her father's study.
The sight of Lord and Lady Valleys so intently staring at Miltoun
restored hex self-possession.
It struck her as slightly comic, not knowing that the little scene was
the outcome of that word. In truth, the contrast between Miltoun and his
parents at this moment was almost ludicrous.
Lady Valleys was the first to speak.
"Better comic than romantic. I suppose Barbara may know, considering
her contribution to this matter. Your brother is resigning his seat,
my dear; his conscience will not permit him to retain it, under certain
circumstances that have arisen."
"Oh!" cried Barbara: "but surely----"
"The matter has been argued, Babs," Lord Valleys said shortly; "unless
you have some better reason to advance than those of ordinary common
sense, public spirit, and consideration for one's family, it will hardly
be worth your while to reopen the discussion."
Barbara looked up at Miltoun, whose face, all but the eyes, was like a
mask.
"Oh, Eusty!" she said, "you're not going to spoil your life like this!
Just think how I shall feel."
Miltoun answered stonily:
"You did what you thought right; as I am doing.
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