He slowed down the engine. His face had gone white beneath its tan. They were both stirred; they seemed to listen to the beating of each other’s heart “Give me another chance,” he urged unsteadily.
“But how? I must sail.” She gazed at him forlornly. “Here we are. You were going past it.”
They drew up before a tall, buff-colored house, standing in a terrace. As though glad to escape from their emotional suspense, she jumped out the moment they had stopped, ran up the steps and rang the bell. While she waited for her ring to be answered, she kept her back towards him. The door was opened by a maid in a white cap and apron.
“Hulloa, Ethel! So you see I’ve got back. How’s Miss Janice? Busy packing?”
“Still in bed, Miss Desire. I was just going up to help her dress.”
“Out last night with Mr. Horace?”
“Yes. He’s to be here to breakfast He’s going to the station to see you off.”
“All right. I’ll be in in a moment You needn’t stop.”
She came tripping down the steps to Teddy. He had got out of the car and had been standing watching her. He had feared that she would glance across her shoulder and dismiss him with a nod.
She rested her hand upon his arm and looked up at him timidly with an expression that was more than pity. The leaves of the park fluttered and the flakes of sunlight fell.