"Yes; in three months. But I must go in. Aunt will be angry."
"You won't let him win you over?"
"He has treated me badly; but I don't want it said I jilted him."
They had risen by now.
"You ask such a lot of me," said Haddington.
"Ah! I thought you said you loved me. Can't you wait three months?"
"I suppose I must. But, Kate, you are sincere with me? Tell me you love me."
Again Ayre leant forward. They had began to walk away, but now Haddington stopped, and laying his hand on Kate's arm, detained her. "Say you love me," he said again.
"Yes, I love you!" said Kate, with commendable confusion, and they resumed their walk.
"What is her game?" Ayre asked himself. "If she means to throw Eugene over, why doesn't she do it right out? I don't believe she does. She's afraid he'll throw her over. And, by Jove! she fobbed that fool off again! We're no further forward than we were. If he makes trouble about this she'll deny the whole thing. Miss Bernard is a lady of talent. But—no, can I? Yes, I will. Rather than let her win, I'll step in. I'll go and see her to-morrow. We shall neither of us be in a position to reproach the other. But I'll see what I can do. But Haddington! To think she should get round him again!"