第27章 CHAPTER V.(6)

A strain from the new organ--whose heart,however,had prematurely learned its own bitterness--and a thin,clear,but somewhat shrill chanting from a choir of young ladies were followed by a prayer from the Reverend Mr.Pilsbury.Then there was a pause of expectancy,and Grant's fair companion,who up to that moment had been quietly acting as guide and cicerone to her father's guest,excused herself with a little grimace of mock concern and was led away by one of the committee.Grant's usually keen eyes were wandering somewhat abstractedly over the agitated and rustling field of ribbons,flowers and feathers before him,past the blazonry of banner on the walls,and through the open windows to the long sunlit levels beyond,when he noticed a stir upon the raised dais or platform at the end of the room,where the notables of Tasajara were formally assembled.The mass of black coats suddenly parted and drew back against the wall to allow the coming forward of a single graceful figure.A thrill of nervousness as unexpected as unaccountable passed over him as he recognized Clementina.In the midst of a sudden silence she read the report of the committee from a paper in her hand,in a clear,untroubled voice--the old voice of Sidon--and formally declared the building opened.The sunlight,nearly level,streamed through the western window across the front of the platform where she stood and transfigured her slight but noble figure.The hush that had fallen upon the Hall was as much the effect of that tranquil,ideal presence as of the message with which it was charged.And yet that apparition was as inconsistent with the clear,searching light which helped to set it off,as it was with the broad new blazonry of decoration,the yet unsullied record of the white walls,or even the frank,animated and pretty faces that looked upon it.Perhaps it was some such instinct that caused the applause which hesitatingly and tardily followed her from the platform to appear polite and half restrained rather than spontaneous.

Nevertheless Grant was honestly and sincerely profuse in his congratulations."You were far cooler and far more self-contained than I should have been in your place,"he said,"than in fact Iactually WAS,only as your auditor.But I suppose you have done it before?"She turned her beautiful eyes on his wonderingly."No,--this is the first time I ever appeared in public,--not even at school,for even there I was always a private pupil.""You astonish me,"said Grant;"you seemed like an old hand at it.""Perhaps I did,or rather as if I didn't think anything of it myself,--and that no doubt is why the audience didn't think anything of it either."So she HAD noticed her cold reception,and yet there was not the slightest trace of disappointment,regret,or wounded vanity in her tone or manner."You must take me to the refreshment room now,"she said pleasantly,"and help me to look after the young ladies who are my guests.I'm afraid there are still more speeches to come,and father and Mr.Pilsbury are looking as if they confidently expected something more would be 'expected'of them."Grant at once threw himself into the task assigned to him,with his natural gallantry and a certain captivating playfulness which he still retained.Perhaps he was the more anxious to please in order that his companion might share some of his popularity,for it was undeniable that Miss Harcourt still seemed to excite only a constrained politeness among those with whom she courteously mingled.And this was still more distinctly marked by the contrast of a later incident.

For some moments the sound of laughter and greeting had risen near the door of the refreshment room that opened upon the central hall,and there was a perceptible movement of the crowd--particularly of youthful male Tasajara--in that direction.It was evident that it announced the unexpected arrival of some popular resident.

Attracted like the others,Grant turned and saw the company making way for the smiling,easy,half-saucy,half-complacent entry of a handsomely dressed young girl.As she turned from time to time to recognize with rallying familiarity or charming impertinence some of her admirers,there was that in her tone and gesture which instantly recalled to him the past.It was unmistakably Euphemia!