She and Naida will be in the Berkshires; I'll go up and stay with them later--when Geraldine is all right again," he added cheerfully.
Scott, fidgeting like a neglected pup, came wandering into the hall, book in hand.
"For the love of Mike," he said impatiently, "what have you two got to talk about all night ?" "My son," observed Duane, "there are a few subjects for conversation which do not include the centipede and the polka-dotted dickey-bird.
These subjects Kathleen and I furtively indulge in when we can arrange to elude you." Scott covered a yawn and glanced at Kathleen.
"Is Geraldine all right ?" he asked with all the healthy indifference of a young man who had never been ill, and was, therefore, incapable of understanding illness in others.
"Certainly, she's all right," said Duane.

And to Kathleen: "I believe I'll venture to knock at her door----" "Oh, no, Duane.

She isn't ready to see anybody----" "Well, I'll try----" "Please, don't!" But he had her at a disadvantage, and he only laughed and mounted the stairs, saying: "I'll just exchange a word with her or with her maid, anyway." When he turned into the corridor Geraldine's maid, seated in the window-seat sewing, rose and came forward to take his message.

In a few moments she returned, saying: "Miss Seagrave asks to be excused, as she is ready to retire." "Ask Miss Seagrave if I can say good-night to her through the door." The maid disappeared and returned in a moment.
"Miss Seagrave wishes you good-night, sir." So he thanked the maid pleasantly and walked to his own room, now once more prepared for him after the departure of those who had temporarily required it.
Starlight made the leaded windows brilliant; he opened them wide and leaned out on the sill, arms folded.

The pale astral light illuminated a fairy world of meadow and garden and spectral trees, and two figures moving like ghosts down by the fountain among the roses--Rosalie and Grandcourt pacing the gravel paths shoulder to shoulder under the stars.
Below him, on the terrace, he saw Kathleen and Scott--the latter carrying a butterfly net--examining the borders of white pinks with a lantern.