Lord Winterset looked at the hand, and touched it with two fingers.
“That is what I ask,” he said, just audibly.
Isabel drew the hand back to her lap, then faced him, with a great effort of self-control.
“I cannot answer you at once, Lord Winterset,” she said, almost calmly, though in very truth the words were a mere buzzing in her own ears. “Not to-night. Grant me a day or two.”
“Is that necessary?”
“It is—indeed it is! I can say nothing whatever to-night. You must not interpret my behaviour at all.”
“We hunt together to-morrow. May I see you in the evening?”
“Yes, after the hunt. I will answer you then. May I, please, be left to myself now?”
“Till to-morrow evening.”
Lord Winterset smiled, bowed to her with informal grace, and passed to the nearest group.