BROTHER DICK She covered her emotion with the most herculean efforts at gaiety.

She laughed very shakily at the solicitude expressed by Columbus, and told him tremulously how absurd and ridiculous he was to make such a fuss about nothing.
After this, feeling a little better, she ventured a glance at her companion.

He was on his feet and wiping his forehead--a man of medium height and no great breadth of shoulder, but evidently well knit and athletic.

Becoming by some means aware of her attention, he put away his handkerchief and turned towards her.

She saw his eyes gleam under black, mobile brows that seemed to denote a considerable sense of humour.