With an uplift of the chin she answered: "And I, Royal, have something to say to you."
"The usual thing, I suppose. Well, shy a teacup at me if you like, but spare me a scene."
As he spoke he seated himself. "Marie," he at once resumed, "I shall have to take my mother up the Hudson shortly——"
The girl interrupted him. "Does Mrs. Annandale go too?"
The man's cigar had gone out. He relighted it. "No," he replied, "the last time I saw her she said something about going West."
"Ah!" Marie exclaimed, and immediately with that curious intuition which women that really love possess she added, "to Dakota?"
"Perhaps," replied Loftus with a puff. The surety of the shot amazed him, but of the amazement he gave no sign. "Perhaps, though I do not remember that she said just where she did intend to go." He drew in a large mouthful of smoke, which leisurely he blew forth. It circled about her. She moved away. "Oh, excuse me," he said, "I did not mean—" The girl made a gesture of indifference. "You see," he began again, "the point is just here. My mother is not well. She rather wants me with her this summer. In the circumstances I thought you might like to go abroad."
Marie, through half-closed eyes, cautiously peered at him. "Without you?" she asked.
Loftus nodded.
"For good?"