Signs of the necessary
something more than friendship--so he had accounted them, and he was
right so far. But it was not he who had inspired them. His very
penetration and insight had led him astray. He was silent for a few
minutes, and Mrs. Adair searched his face in the moonlight for some
evidence that he resented Ethne's secrecy. But she searched in vain.
"And that is all?" said Durrance.
"Not quite. Captain Willoughby brought a token from Mr. Feversham. Ethne
carried it back to the house in her hand. Her eyes were upon it all the
way, her lips smiled at it. I do not think there is anything half so
precious to her in all the world."
"A token?"
"A little white feather," said Mrs. Adair, "all soiled and speckled with
dust. Can you read the riddle of that feather?"
"Not yet," Durrance replied. He walked once or twice along the terrace
and back, lost in thought. Then he went into the house and fetched his
cap from the hall. He came back to Mrs. Adair.
"It was kind of you to tell me this," he said. "I want you to add to
your kindness. When I was in the drawing-room alone and you came to the
window, how much did you hear? What were the first words?"
Mrs.
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