“Yours affectionately,
“Herbert.
“P.S.—Sorry to break my promise, but they made me. Mind, bring your fishing-rod.”
Hero handed the letter to her companion.
“I would rather you let me buy it, and give it back to you,” she said.
She handed the money to the lady of the stall, who was looking considerably astonished.
Alistair understood the delicate rebuke. His glance took in the contents of the friendly, boyish note afresh, and he felt ashamed that he had parted with it.
“I am very grateful to you, Miss Vanbrugh, believe me,” he said earnestly, as he slipped the letter into his pocket. “I ought not to have let it go into strange hands. But I hope I needn’t count you as a stranger. You are often at Colonsay House, aren’t you?”
“I have never met you there,” said Hero pointedly.
And Alistair was silent.