“She will come when you are gone. She must not know what has been said here to-night. No one must know. Promise me, Quenton.”
“No one shall know.” I was as anxious as he for silence. How could I face her, or return Edgar’s handshake if my secret were known to either?
“Go, then; Orpha will be wondering where you are. Naturally, she is curious. If you ever win her love, be gentle with her. She is used to gentleness.”
“If I ever win her love,” I returned with some solemnity, “I will remember this hour and what I owe to you.”
He made a slight gesture and taking it for dismissal I turned to go.
But the sigh I heard drew me back.
“Is there nothing I can do for you before I go?”
“Keep him below if you have the wit to do it. I do not feel as if I could see him to-night. But no hints; no cousinly innuendoes. Remember that you have no knowledge of any displeasure I may feel. I can trust you?”
“Implicitly in this.”
He made another gesture and I opened the door.