“I would rather it was not given out yet. Time enough when you return or I go home.”
“I see,” he answered; “you think if you were ticketed ‘Engaged,’ you would lose half your fun!”
“No indeed,” I protested indignantly, “but I should hate all the talk; it is not as if you were to be here—that would be different.”
“Yes, very different indeed,” and he gave an audible sigh.
“People might say that it was not true—and—and——”
“You have a humble opinion of the lovely Miss Lingard,” he interrupted with a laugh, “but if you insist I could put up a notice in the club, signed and witnessed; and the general might allow it to be mentioned in orders. I say, Eva, you are a little goose.”
“I wonder what your people will think? I’m sure Aunt Mina won’t give me a good ‘chit,’ and you know I’ve no money.”
“Don’t talk of money,” he protested impatiently, “when every second now is worth gold to me. I shall have you, you will have me, and I feel sure we shall be awfully happy together. We must tell one or two friends here about our engagement; for instance, Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Soames.”
“Yes, I should like to tell Mrs. Soames—I know she will be so pleased—and, of course, Ronnie.”
“I’m not sure that he will be so pleased—somehow your brother and I have never hit it off. I know he is immensely popular and a capital sportsman. I believe he thinks me a prig—which I’m not. I’m a bit older and steadier, that’s all. By the way, darling, do you know that I am fourteen years your senior?”