But what is the
matter with you, Henry? You surely have turned very pale!'
'Well, Winnie,' said I, 'I _am_ a little, just a little faint. After
the funeral I could take no dinner. But it will he over in a minute.
Let us go back a few yards and sit down upon the dry sand, and have
a little more chat.'
We went and sat down, and my heart slowly resumed its function.
'Let me see, Winnie, what were we talking about? About rubies and
diamonds, I think, were we not? You said that when your father bade
you come out for a walk to-night, he had just been talking about
rubies and diamonds. What was he saying about them, Winnie? But come
and lay your head here while you tell me; lay it on my breast,
Winnie, as you used to do in Graylingham Wood, and on these same
sands.'
Evidently the earnestness of my manner and the suppressed passion in
my voice drove out of her mind all her wise saws about the perils of
wealth and all her wise determinations about the postponed betrothal,
for she came and sat by my side and laid her head upon my breast.
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