hands, and said, 'Ah, Jess--Jess is a _genius!_ It is a privilege to
know her'? And then she asked you to quote Shakespeare to that lump of
a brother of hers, and you told her that if she did not hold her tongue
she would not enjoy the privilege much longer. And now you want to go
and stop with her for two months! Well, Jess, you are odd. And, what's
more, I think it is very unkind of you to run away for so long."

To all of which prattle Jess said nothing, but merely reiterated her
determination to go.

John, too, was astonished, and, to tell the truth, not a little
disgusted. Since the previous day, when he had that talk with her in
Lion Kloof, Jess had assumed a clearer and more definite interest in his
eyes. Before that she was an enigma; now he had guessed enough about her
to make him anxious to know more. Indeed, he had not perhaps realised
how strong and definite his interest was till he heard that she was
going away for a long period. Suddenly it struck him that the farm would
be very dull without this very fascinating woman moving about the
place in her silent, resolute way. Bessie was, no doubt, delightful
and charming to look on, but she had not her sister's brains and
originality; and John Niel was sufficiently above the ordinary run to
thoroughly appreciate intellect and originality in a woman, instead of
standing aghast at it. She interested him intensely, to say the least of
it, and, man-like, he felt exceedingly annoyed, and even sulky, at
the idea of her departure. He looked at her in protest, and, with an
awkwardness begotten of his irritation, knocked down the vinegar cruet
and made a mess upon the table; but she evaded his eyes and took no
notice of the vinegar. Then, feeling that he had done all that in him
lay, he went to see about the ostriches; first of all hanging about a
little in case Jess should come out, which she did not do. Indeed, he