Harry sank into the chair opposite Cecily—and opposite the picture of Addie Tristram on the wall. "Well, somehow I've managed to get back here," said he.
The shadow had passed from Cecily's face. She looked at him, blushing and laughing.
"At a terrible price, poor Harry?" she said.
"At a big price," he answered.
She looked round at the three. Harry was composed, but there was no mistaking the perturbation of the Imp and Mr Neeld.
"A big price?" she asked wonderingly. "Isn't that a queer compliment, Harry?" Then a light seemed to break in on her, and she cried: "You mean the cost of your pride? I should never let that stand between you and me!"
"Will you make a note of that admission, Mina?" said Harry with a smile. "Because you didn't say so always, Cecily. Do you recollect what you once said?
'If ever the time comes, I shall remember!' That was what you said."
She looked at him with a glance that was suddenly troubled. There seemed a meaning in his words. She pushed back her chair and rose from the table.
"I don't want dinner. I'm going into the garden," she said.