CHAPTER XXXI 459
answered it with a second laugh , and laughter well became her youth , her roses , her dimples , her bright eyes .
As he stood , mute and grave , she again fell to caressing Carlo . " Poor Carlo loves me ," said she . " HE is not stern and distant to his friends ; and if he could speak , he would not be silent ."
As she patted the dog ' s head , bending with native grace before his young and austere master , I saw a glow rise to that master ' s face . I saw his solemn eye melt with sudden fire , and flicker with resistless emotion . Flushed and kindled thus , he looked nearly as beautiful for a man as she for a woman . His chest heaved once , as if his large heart , weary of despotic constriction , had expanded , despite the will , and made a vigorous bound for the attainment of liberty . But he curbed it , I think , as a resolute rider would curb a rearing steed . He responded neither by word nor movement to the gentle advances made him .
" Papa says you never come to see us now ," continued Miss Oliver , looking up . " You are quite a stranger at Vale Hall . He is alone this evening , and not very well : will you return with me and visit him ?"
" It is not a seasonable hour to intrude on Mr . Oliver ," answered St . John .
" Not a seasonable hour ! But I declare it is . It is just the hour when papa most wants company : when the works are closed and he has no business to occupy him . Now , Mr . Rivers , DO come . Why are you so very shy , and so very sombre ?" She filled up the hiatus his silence left by a reply of her own .
" I forgot !" she exclaimed , shaking her beautiful curled head , as if shocked at herself . " I am so giddy and thoughtless ! DO excuse me . It had slipped my memory that you have good reasons to be indisposed for joining in my chatter . Diana and Mary have left you , and Moor House is shut up , and you are so lonely . I am sure I pity you . Do come and see papa ."
" Not to-night , Miss Rosamond , not to-night ."