After the meal was over he led her to the same summer-house in which Graydon had almost spoken words endowed with a lover's warmth and eagerness.
"Stella," he said, "I shall go to town on the ten-o'clock train."
"I supposed you had concluded to remain all the week," she replied.
"No; very important interests call me to the city, much to my regret. You only bowed when I requested that I should receive a final answer before the close of this week. I shall return Saturday. Will you end my suspense within this time?"
She was silent.
"Will you make me another promise, then? Will you remain free this week? If you will not bind yourself to me, will you promise that no one else shall have a claim upon you until the time specified expires?"
After some hesitation she said, "Yes, I will promise that."
"Please do so, and you will not regret it," was his quiet response.
"I am not so eager to be bound that I cannot promise so much."
"Very well then, I am content for the present;" and he changed the subject.