'It's New Year's Eve, isn't it?' Dagworthy pursued, throwing out his words at random. 'Be here this day two years—or not, as you like. I'm going to wander about, but I shall be here on that day—that is, if I'm alive. You won't though. Good-bye.'
He turned away from her, and went to the 'window. Jessie moved a little nearer.
'Do you mean that?' she asked.
'Mean it?' he repeated, 'why, yes, as much as I mean anything. Be off; you're keeping that poor devil in the snow.'
'Mr. Dagworthy, I shall be here, and you daren't pretend to forget, or to say you weren't in earnest.'
He laughed and waved his hand.
'Be off to your carriage!'
Jessie moved to the door reluctantly; but he did not turn again, and she departed.