“Well, I do. I’m quite boyish—childish—oh, my darling, have I got you here in my arms once more?”
There was no doubt of it, for timid and shrinking now, Dinah kissed him gravely upon the forehead, and then gently and firmly shrank from his strong embrace.
“Where is the Major?” he cried.
“He has taken his satchel and geological hammer, and gone for a long walk.”
“Without you?”
“Yes; that is why I said, don’t laugh at me, and you stopped me from saying more. Clive—I felt that you would come this morning.”
“Ah, and how much sooner I should have been, but for the miserable worry of the company’s affairs. There, I will not worry you about that, and I am glad to say that I found Sturgess rapidly getting well. But he had a nasty accident. And how’s dear old Martha?”
“Quite well. She has been talking about you and longing to see you every day.”
“Bless her. And you. Oh, my darling, you look more beautiful than ever!”
“Clive!”