‘I have already thought of that,’ said Dick, ‘and I shall go into Moate to-morrow and see about it.’
‘Does that mean to say that you desert croquet?’ said Nina imperiously.
‘You have got Lieutenant O’Shea in my place, and a better player than me already.’
‘I fear I must take my leave to-morrow,’ said Gorman, with a touch of real sorrow, for in secret he knew not whither he was going.
‘Would your aunt not spare you to us for a few days?’ said the old man. ‘I am in no favour with her just now, but she would scarcely refuse what we would all deem a great favour.’
‘My aunt would not think the sacrifice too much for her,’ said Gorman, trying to laugh at the conceit.
‘You shall stay,’ murmured Nina, in a tone only audible to him; and by a slight bow he acknowledged the words as a command.
‘I believe my best way,’ said Gorman gaily, ‘will be to outstay my leave, and take my punishment, whatever it be, when I go back again.’
‘That is military morality,’ said Walpole, in a half-whisper to Kate, but to be overheard by Nina. ‘We poor civilians don’t understand how to keep a debtor and creditor account with conscience.’
‘Could you manage to provoke that man to quarrel with you?’ said Nina secretly to Gorman, while her eyes glanced towards Walpole.