“Well, I have. I know myself better than you know me,” said Leslie, placing a foot on the seat and resting his arm on his knee, as he spoke thoughtfully. “I am a very hot-headed kind of Highlander by descent, and there’s no knowing what might happen. Now one more question. Shall I open fire on your father to-night?”
“That requires more consideration,” said Madelaine. “We will talk that over as we go back. Here is Harry,” she said quickly, as that gentleman suddenly burst upon them; and the walk back to Van Heldre’s was accomplished without the discussion.
“I’m afraid I’ve made a very great mistake, Miss Van Heldre,” said Leslie, as they neared the house.
“Don’t say that,” she replied. “It was most unfortunate.”
“But you will soon set that right?” he added, after a pause.
“I don’t know,” said Madelaine quietly. “You will come in?”
“No; not this evening. We had better both have a grand think before anything is said.”
“Yes,” said Madelaine; and they parted at the door—to think.
“Why, John,” said Mrs Van Heldre, turning from the window to gaze in her husband’s face, “did you see that?”
“Yes,” said Van Heldre shortly; “quite plainly.”