The Marchesa was confused—as was, perhaps, hardly unnatural.
"There are other things, besides gates and walls, and Norah's head, that you jump over, Lord Lynborough."
"I lived a life while I stood waiting for the clock to strike. I have tried for life before—in that minute I found it." He seemed suddenly to awake as though from a dream. "But I beg your pardon. I have paid my dues. The bond gives me no right to linger."
She rose with a light laugh—yet it sounded nervous. "Is it good-by till next St. John Baptist's day?"
"You would see me walking on Beach Path day by day."
"I never call it Beach Path."
"May it now be called—Helena's?"
"Or will you stay and lunch with me to-day? And you might even pay homage again—say to-morrow—or—or some day in the week."
"Lunch, most certainly. That commits me to nothing. Homage, Marchesa, is quite another matter."
"Your chivalry is turning to bargaining, Lord Lynborough."