“Harry fell in,” said Louise, speaking rather quickly and excitedly; “and Mr Leslie—”
“Ah!” ejaculated the tall gentleman excitedly.
“It was nothing, sir,” said Leslie hastily. “He swam in among the rocks—into a cave, and he was a long time gone, and I went after him; that’s all.”
“But, my dear boy, you must make haste and change your things.”
“I shall not hurt, Mr Vine.”
“And—and—look here. Make haste and come on then to us. There will be a meal ready. It’s Harry’s last day at home.”
“Oh, thank you, Mr Vine; I don’t think I’ll come to-night.”
“But you have been one of the party so far, and I should—Louie, my dear—”
“We shall be very glad if you will come, Mr Leslie,” said Louise, in response to her father’s hesitating words and look, and there was a calm, ingenuous invitation in her words that made the young man’s heart throb.
“I, too, shall be very glad,” he said quietly.