And though he would willingly have left his life in her hands, he knew he had no right to put that of others there, and yet it seemed to him he must keep the appointment and the promise he had made.
About nine that evening, then, he made his way to the sweet-pea border, though, as he went, he resolved that he would not tell her what he had said he would.
Because he trusted his own strength so little when he was with her, he confirmed this resolution by an oath he swore to himself: and even that he was not certain would be a sure protection against the witchery she wielded.
So it was with a mind doubtful and troubled more than it had ever been since the beginning of these things that he came to the border where the sweet-peas grew, and saw a dark shadow already close by them.
But when he came a little nearer he saw that it was not Ella who was there but Deede Dawson and his first thought was that she had betrayed him.
“That you, Dunn?” Deede Dawson hailed him in his usual pleasant, friendly manner.
“Yes,” Dunn answered warily, keeping himself ready for any eventuality.
Deede Dawson took a cigar from his pocket and lighted it and offered one to Dunn, who refused it abruptly.
Deede Dawson laughed at that in his peculiar, mirthless way.
“Am I being the third that's proverbially no company?” he asked. “Were you expecting to find some one else here? I thought I saw a white frock vanish just as I came up.”