“He doesn’t believe it, Miss Varney,” said Maxwell, turning to the younger woman, “but it is certainly true. I dare say you know the gentleman——”
“Please don’t, Lieutenant,” interrupted Edith quickly. “I would rather not talk about it, if you please.”
“Of course,” said Maxwell, “I didn’t know there was anything——”
“Yes,” said Edith. “Let’s talk about something else. You know there is always the weather to fall back on——”
“I should say so,” laughed the Lieutenant, “and mighty bad weather for us, too.”
“Yes, isn’t it?”
They turned away, talking and laughing somewhat constrainedly, while Mrs. Varney picked up the note that was still lying on the table.
“From your note, I suppose you are leaving us immediately, Captain Thorne. Your orders have come?”
“Yes, Mrs. Varney,” said the Captain. “I am afraid this must be the last of my pleasant calls.”
“Isn’t it rather sudden? Are you quite well? It seems to me they ought to give you a little more time to recover.”