"Yes; reasons of a sort, you know."
"I thought so," he nodded. "Somehow both of them seemed anxious to have reasons, good sound reasons."
"Oh, well, but she's in love with him," said Ora. "I suppose that's a reason."
"And he with her?"
"Of course."
It had been Ora's firm intention not to refer in the most distant manner to what had passed between Bowdon and herself. But our lips and eyes are traitors to our careful tongues; and there are people who draw out a joke from any hiding-place.
"He's done a very wise thing," said Ashley, looking straight into her eyes. She blushed and laughed. "I admire wise things," he added, laughing in his turn.
"But don't do them?"
"Oh, sometimes. To-day for example! What can be wiser than to refresh myself with a day in the country, to spend a few hours in fresh air and—and pleasant surroundings?"