Page:Hornung - Irralies Bushranger.djvu/103

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE HOUR AFTER
91

"I agree," whispered the young man next him (who had a red smudge on his collar). "The joker we landed would have had better manners! It makes you sorry. If the great Irralie were here there'd be some fun! I wonder where she is?"


The great Irralie was at that moment in the school-room, in the open doorway, looking out upon the pines.

The moon shone full in her eyes, but discovered neither tears nor the signs of tears, nor aught but indignation and bitter regret. She had suspected everything from the first. And because of her suspicions she had torn her soul—for a hardened villain; and because of her suspicions she had humbled herself to a notorious scoundrel, who had lied to her to the very end. That was what rankled most. He had not trusted her!

Yet she did not think it was that at all. There were two doors to the school-room. The one at which Irralie stood, led without porch or passage into the open air, and from