Reuben also had risen from
his chair as she came in, and still stood awkwardly leaning on the
back of it, not seeming sure if he ought to sit down again or not.
Fennell, too sick to care, was the only self-possessed person in the
room. It was a relief to all when the noise of feet at the door
indicated the return of Elnathan with Perez, but the running
explanations of the former which his senile treble made quite audible
through the door, were less reassuring.
"Can't make aout what in time she wants on ye. Mebbe she's tuk a shine
to ye, he, he, I dunno. Ye uster be allers arter her when ye wuz a
young un."
"Hush father, she'll hear," said Perez, and opening the door came into
the kitchen.
Desire arose to her feet as he did so, and their eyes met. He would
have known her anywhere, in spite of the nine years since he had seen
her. The small oval of the sparkling gypsy face, the fine features, so
mobile and piquant, he instantly recognized from the portrait painted
in undying colors upon his youthful imagination.
"Are you Captain Hamlin?" she said.
"I hope you remember Perez Hamlin," he answered.
"I remember the name," she replied coldly. "I am told that you command
the--the men"--she was going to say mob--"in the village.
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