Morley Roberts

“ Ever since Anne had come in Hector had known how Lady Hale's ceaseless chatter had jarred upon her. The whole atmosphere of the library, now almost dark save for the corner in which they sat, had been tragic in some inexplicable way. He knew well that Felicia hated Anne. He felt that the doctor had been curious about her. For his own part his nerves were on a great strain. He wished to find out how he stood with her after all these years, and could get no chance to do so. Now Anne looked very white; her hand trembled. He wondered why she did not get up and go. ”

“ She bowed her head and looked at the fire.
“You have a good memory.”
“The best,” said Hector. “I remember, too, when I first saw you in Barbados. I had ridden home from St. George. I found you and Mrs. St. John and Felicia on the veranda.”
She murmured:
“What a heavenly evening it was. The sea and the stars, and the sound of the sea!”
They both recalled the wonder of the time and its strange magic, and both were deeply moved.
“We got to be friends for a time. And then we were not friends,” said Hector. ”

“ Lady Anne nodded. When she spoke she moistened her lips.
“I do seem to have seen it somewhere. It is very curious writing, isn't it? Where could I have seen it?”
“Perhaps in a collection of writings,” said Hector. “I know one man whose fad is to collect all kinds of curious script.”
But, indeed, he did not believe this. There was something about Lady Anne's look which made him think furiously.
“I—I don't know,” she stammered at last, as she laid the prescriptions down again, “perhaps it's a mistake. I never saw Doctor Courtney before. Indeed, I never heard of him.” ”