“And you think that I may aspire in time—if I am successful in public—to the hand of a lady?”
“Surely you know as much of the world as I. Why should you not marry a lady, if you wish to?”
“I am afraid class prejudice would be too strong for me, after all.”
“I dont think so. What hour is it now, Mr. Conolly?”
“It wants ten minutes of seven.”
“Oh!” cried Marian, rising. “Miss McQuinch is probably wondering whether I am drowned or lost. I must get back to the Hall as fast as I can. They have returned from Bushy Copse before this; and I am sure they are asking about me.”
Conolly rose silently and walked with her as far as the path from the cottage to the laboratory.
“This is my way, Miss Lind,” said he. “I am going to the laboratory. Will you be so kind as to give my respects to Miss McQuinch. I shall not see her again, as I must return to town by the last train to-night.”
“And are you not coming back—not at all, I mean?”
“Not at all.”