He looked at her curiously and in silence, a quicker beat at his pulse
and she read his thoughts.
"Oh, I am betraying no confidences," she said. "Your lady gives
none--save possibly to the Duchess. But I have been of the Household
with Beatrix for two years and------"
"And . . . what?" he inflected.
"You can guess the rest--if you are not stupid," she said, turning away.
But he stayed her. "My barge is at the landing. Shall we follow . . .
the others?" he suggested.
She hesitated--then, catching up a cloak and scarf that lay on a couch,
she nodded acquiescence.
"Up stream or down?" he asked, as he handed her in and took place
beside her.
"Up," she said.
"Give way," he ordered, and the eight oars that had been raised high in
salute dropped as one, and they shot out into the stream.
The Lady Mary settled herself among the cushions, one arm thrown
carelessly around the awning post.
"What nonsense it is," she remarked presently.