THE ALLY
They found Maud awaiting them in the long low room that overlooked her favourite view of the down. Saltash entered as one who had the right, and she greeted him with momentary surprise but evident pleasure.
"I couldn't spend twenty-four hours at Burchester without calling upon you," he said.
"You know you are always welcome," she made answer, with the smile which only her intimate friends ever saw.
They sat down by one of the wide French windows and General Melrose began to occupy his hostess's attention. Sheila took a chair that Bunny pushed forward, and Saltash glanced round for Toby. She was sitting on the end of a couch, playing with the silky ears of the old red setter. Her hat was flung down beside her; her pretty face downcast. He crossed to her deliberately and bent also to fondle the dog.
She started slightly at his coming, and a faint flush rose in her cheeks; but she neither glanced at him nor spoke.
For the moment they were alone, unobserved by the laughing group at the window. Saltash bent suddenly lower. His quick whisper came down to her:
"Go and put on the most girlish thing you've got!"
She looked up at him then, her blue eyes seeking his. A rapid flash of understanding passed between them. Then, without a word she rose.
When Maud looked round for her a few seconds later, Saltash was lounging alone against the sofa-head pulling Chops absently by the ear while he stared before him out of the window in a fit of abstraction that seemed to her unusual.