"Come in, Euan!" cried Lois, with a gaiety which seemed slightly
forced; and I came, awkwardly, not meeting their eyes, and made for
the ladder to get myself below.
Whereat both laughed. Lois rose and went behind the blanket to
the loop, and Lana said, with a trace of her former levity:
"Broad-brim! Do you fly blushing from my levete? The Queen of
France receives in scanter attire, I hear. Sit you on yonder bench
and play courtier amiably for once."
She seemed so frail and white and young, lying there, her fair
hair unpowdered and tumbled about her face— so childlike and
helpless— that a strange and inexplicable apprehension filled me;
and, scarce thinking what I did, I went over to her and knelt down
beside her, putting one arm around her shoulders.
Her expression, which had
