Then, picking up the cake, he goes back again to where Mr. Kelly is still awaiting him.
[CHAPTER] XXVII.
How Monica's gift receives due attention, and is thoroughly appreciated; and how a torpedo falls into a morning-room at Moyne.
"Well," says Kelly, "was it Miss Beresford?"
"Yes, and her sister. I saw them back to the boundary fence, but they would let me go no farther. It was rather——"
"What on earth have you got there?" says his friend, sticking his eyeglass in his eye, and staring with bent head and some suspicion at the mysterious thing in Desmond's arms.
"This! oh, ah! yes." Then, desperately, "Kelly, if you laugh at it I'll never forgive you."
Mr. Kelly drops the eyeglass and looks afflicted.
"My dear fellow, do I ever laugh?" he says.