A Son of the Sahara Part 24

As she watched the scene, an overpowering desire to go and see if Le Breton were still there seized her; a desire that rapidly became an obsession.

Of course he would not stay from nine o'clock until after midnight!

For all that Pansy felt she must go. That she must linger for a moment in the spot where he had lingered.

She turned quickly into her room; then out into the corridor; down the stairs and on towards a door that led out into the grounds.

Once there, the moonlight drew her on towards the fountain.

On reaching the trysting-place there was no sign of anybody there.

With a feeling of intense disappointment Pansy turned towards the sea-wall, and stood there with the soft light shimmering on her, her face wistful as she watched the molten sea.

Now that she had come, to find Le Breton gone hurt her.

If he really liked her, he would have stayed all night on the chance of her coming. She would, if she were really fond of anybody.

A tear came and sparkled on her long, dark lashes.

He could not love her very much, or he would not have left.

A slight movement in the shadows behind made her face round quickly, her heart giving a sudden bound.

"Well, Pansy," the voice she knew so well said in a caressing tone.

She laughed tremulously.

"I thought you'd gone hours ago," she said.

Le Breton came to her side, a mocking look in his dark, smouldering eyes as he watched her.

"There are two things a man will always wait for if they cut deeply enough," he replied. "Love and revenge."

"How dramatic you sound! Which has kept you on the prowl to-night?"

she asked lightly, edging away from him.

But his arm went round her quickly, and she was drawn back to his side.

"No, my little girl, not this time," he whispered.

She tried to free herself from his embrace.

"I didn't mean to come. I really didn't," she said breathlessly.

He laughed in a tender, masterful fashion.

"Possibly not, but since you're here I intend that you shall stay."

"No, no," she said quickly. "Let me go."

Pansy struggled after a liberty that she saw rapidly vanishing. But he just held her, firmly, strongly, watching her with an amused air.

"I shall spoil my dress if I have to wrestle with you like this," she panted presently.

"Don't wrestle then," he said coolly. "Stay where you are, little moonbeam, and no harm will come to the dress."

It was fatal to be in his arms again. She stopped struggling and stayed pa.s.sive within his embrace.

With easy strength Le Breton lifted her. Going to a bench, he sat down with her on his knee.

"Why did you run away from me the other night?" he asked.

A slim finger played rather nervously with a black pearl stud in the front of his dress shirt.

"I don't know," she said, her eyes avoiding his.

Then she laughed.

"Oh, yes, I do," she went on. "Because I couldn't do as I liked if I stayed with you."

"I could never be a hard taskmaster. Not with you," he said softly.

"Are you with some people?" she asked.

Le Breton thought of the desert kingdom he ruled alone, and he laughed.

Then he kissed the little mouth so temptingly close to his own; a long, pa.s.sionate caress that seemed to take all strength from the girl. Her head fell on his shoulder, and she lay limp within his arms, watching him in a vague, dreamy manner.

For a time there was silence. Le Breton sat with her pressed against his heart, as if to have her there were all-sufficient.

"I feel like Jonah," Pansy said presently. "All swallowed up. There seems to be nothing in the whole wide world now but you."

With a loving hand he caressed her silky curls.

"And I, Heart's Ease, want nothing but you, henceforth and forever."

Pansy snuggled closer to him.

"To think I'm sitting here on your knee," she whispered. "A week ago I didn't know there was any you. And now I only know your name and----"

She broke off, a blush deepening the roses on her cheeks.

"And what, my darling?" he asked tenderly.

"Put your ear quite close. It's not a matter that can be shouted from the house-tops."

He bent his proud head down, close to the girl's lips.

"And that I love you," she whispered.