"Ah! I must go, dear lover," she said, "though it will only be for some few hours."
But John Derringham held her two hands, detaining her.
"I will make all the arrangements in these next few days," he said. "I am going to Wendover for Whitsuntide. I will get away from there, though, and come across the park and meet you, darling, here at our tree, and we will settle exactly what to do and when to go."
Then, after a last fond, sweet embrace, he let her leave him, and watched her as she glided away among the giant trees, until she was out of sight, a wild glory in his heart.
For love, when he wins after stress, leaves no room but for gladness in his worshiper's soul.
CHAPTER XIX
It was John Derringham who was taciturn next morning, not the Professor!
The light of day has a most sobering effect, and while still exalted in a measure by all the strong forces of love, he was enabled to review worldly events with a clearer eye, and could realize very well that he was going to take a step which would not have a forwarding impetus upon his career, even if it proved to be not one of retrogression.