“He is very strong and brave, is he not?” said Grey.
“Why, the little body loves him,” thought Hilton; “and I had hoped—Bah! let me be a man, and not a manger-loving cur. What right have I to think she could have cared for me?”
“Strong and brave!” he said, aloud. “Why, Chumbley professes to be a coward—”
“A coward! Oh, no!” cried Grey, flushing. “I cannot believe—”
“While he is as brave as a lion,” said Hilton. “That he is, I am sure,” cried Grey, warmly; and her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Chum, old fellow,” said Hilton, sadly to himself; “I used to laugh at you because you were bested by me, as I thought, but now I envy you your luck. Well, never mind, I can bear it, I daresay, and you deserve it all. I think I shall go back and marry the Inche Maida after all.”
“Why, how serious you have turned, Captain Hilton,” said Mrs Bolter.
“Captain Hilton is going away directly on what may prove a dangerous expedition.”
“Of course; I had forgotten,” said Mrs Bolter. “Dear me, that woman is there still, talking to Mr Harley. Will she never go?”
“She will give Chumbley a warmer welcome than she gave me,” said Hilton to himself, and he looked reproachfully at the fair, sweet face before him.