CHAPTER XVIII.

LANDMARKS.


When the ladies had left the table and gone into the garden Elizabeth
moved restlessly from one to another. Before very long the gentlemen
joined them, when Edmonson, after a little engineering, a few moments of
detention here and there, came up to her as she was sauntering with
several others on the bank of the little river. He contrived to separate
her from the rest and walked with her a few steps behind them. His
vivacity had not deserted him, and she felt that it would be no effort
to talk to him, and that in listening she should be enough interested
not to forget herself.

"How beautiful it is here," she began.

"Yes, but I don't care much for landscape when I can get anything
better, and a woman who knows life and understands how to make herself
entertaining is a great deal better. Therefore, at present I have no
eyes for scenery."

"Well, what is it?" cried Elizabeth, with a smile that was a flash,
possibly of annoyance, rather than a gleam of pleasure. "As the saying
goes, what axe have you to grind, Master Edmonson? All this flattery
must be for some object. Can I do anything for you? If only I had
influence with the Grand Mogul, or any other high official, I would
speak to him for you with pleasure. You see your cause is already won,
so don't waste any more powder." And she turned to him with a little
laugh that was both bitter and defiant. It was a bad time to tell