"My dear fellow, that's stuff! It's only the face of a lover."
Stafford looked at him in a dazed way.
"I wish you'd let me go back to my room, Morewood, and give me that picture. No—I won't hurt it."
"Take it, then, and pull yourself together. What's the harm, again I say? And if she loves you—"
"What?" he cried eagerly. Then, checking himself, "Hold your peace, in Heaven's name, and let me go!"
He went his way, and Morewood leaped from the window to find the other two. He found them, but not alone. Ayre was discoursing to Claudia and appeared entirely oblivious of the occurrence which he had precipitated. Eugene was walking up and down with Kate Bernard. It is necessary to listen to what the latter couple were saying.
"This is sad news, Kate," Eugene said. "Why are you going to leave us?"
"My aunt wants me to go with her to Buxton in September, and we're going to have a few days on the river before that."
"Then we shall not meet again for some time?"
"No. Of course I shall write to you."