“Oh, I don’t mean that Eliz—that Miss Wardwell is offensively athletic. I wouldn’t have you think that. She—she is musical and all the other things that a young woman ought to be; but she enjoys the outdoor things, too. And so do I.”
“And Mr. Tregarvon doesn’t enjoy them?”
“Just in a way,” was the qualifying rejoinder. “Vance’s misfortune has been, that, until quite recently, he has never wanted anything that he couldn’t simply reach out and take; he has never been obliged to throw himself whole-heartedly into anything. He is doing it now, though.”
“Into the Ocoee, you mean? I am afraid there is nothing but disappointment for him there.”
Carfax was silent for a moment. Then he said: “There are times, Miss Richardia, when I have the feeling that every one who knows what he is trying to do wishes him to be disappointed.”
“Including us here at Highmount?” she laughed.
“Well, yes.”
“Perhaps you would be willing to make it even more definite. Do you include me with Mr. Tregarvon’s ill-wishers?”
“Sometimes I’ve been tempted to.”
“I’m sure I don’t know why you should say that.”