The soldier and his girl rose, passing in front of him down the Row.  He watched their scarlet and blue figures, moving slowly towards the sun, and another couple close to the rails, crossing those receding forms.  Very straight and tall, there was something exhilarating in the way this new couple swung along, holding their heads up, turning towards each other, to exchange words or smiles.  Even at that distance they could be seen to be of high fashion; in their gait was the almost insolent poise of those who are above doubts and cares, certain of the world and of themselves.  The girl’s dress was tawny brown, her hair and hat too of the same hue, and the pursuing sunlight endowed her with a hazy splendour.  Then, Courtier saw who they were—­that couple!

Except for an unconscious grinding of his teeth, he made no sound or movement, so that they went by without seeing him.  Her voice, though not the words, came to him distinctly.  He saw her hand slip up under Harbinger’s arm and swiftly down again.  A smile, of whose existence he was unaware, settled on his lips.  He got up, shook himself, as a dog shakes off a beating, and walked away, with his mouth set very firm.

CHAPTER XXIV

Left alone among the little mahogany tables of Gustard’s, where the scent of cake and of orange-flower water made happy all the air, Barbara had sat for some minutes, her eyes cast down—­as a child from whom a toy has been taken contemplates the ground, not knowing precisely what she is feeling.  Then, paying one of the middle-aged females, she went out into the Square.  There a German band was playing Delibes’ Coppelia; and the murdered tune came haunting her, a very ghost of incongruity.

She went straight back to Valleys House.  In the room where three hours ago she had been left alone after lunch with Harbinger, her sister was seated in the window, looking decidedly upset.  In fact, Agatha had just spent an awkward hour.  Chancing, with little Ann, into that confectioner’s where she could best obtain a particularly gummy sweet which she believed wholesome for her children, she had been engaged in purchasing a pound, when looking down, she perceived Ann standing stock-still, with her sudden little nose pointed down the shop, and her mouth opening; glancing in the direction of those frank, enquiring eyes, Agatha saw to her amazement her sister, and a man whom she recognized as Courtier.  With a readiness which did her complete credit, she placed a sweet in Ann’s mouth, and saying to the middle-aged female:  “Then you’ll send those, please.  Come, Ann!” went out.  Shocks never coming singly, she had no sooner reached home, than from her father she learned of the development of Miltoun’s love affair.  When Barbara returned, she was sitting, unfeignedly disturbed and grieved; unable to decide whether or no she ought to divulge what she herself had seen, but withal buoyed-up by that peculiar indignation of the essentially domestic woman, whose ideals have been outraged.