Twice he essayed to speak, but
faltered. At last, with an air, he said:
"For seventeen years I have kept the faith. I was sealed to you, and I
hold by the sealing. Wherever you went, it was known to me. In my
thoughts I followed. I read the Gorgio books; I made ready for this day.
I saw you as you were that day by Starzke, like the young bird in the
nest; and the thought of it was with me always. I knew that when I saw
you again the brown eyes would be browner, the words at the lips would be
sweeter--and so it is. All is as I dreamed for these long years. I was
ever faithful. By night and day I saw you as you were when Romany law
made you mine for ever. I looked forward to the day when I would take you
to my 'tan', and there we two would--"
A flush sprang suddenly to Fleda Druse's face, then slowly faded, leaving
it pale and indignant. Sharply she interrupted him.
"They should have called you Ananias," she said scornfully. "My father
has called you a rogue, and now I know you are one. I have not heard, but
I know--I know that you have had a hundred loves, and been true to none.
The red scarfs you have given to the Romany and the Gorgio fly-aways
would make a tent for all the Fawes in all the world."
At first he flung up his head in astonishment at her words, then, as she
proceeded, a flush swept across his face and his eyes filled up again
with sullenness.
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