Mrs Hallam’s countenance changed, and she shuddered.
“Come,” she said; “you are not afraid of him?”
“Of Mr Eaton? Oh, no,” cried Julia with animation; “but—”
“Hush, my child! I will not leave you. Hear what he has to say before you speak.”
Julia’s eyes seemed to contract, and there was a shrinking movement, but directly after she drew herself up proudly, laid her hand in her mother’s, and suffered herself to be led into the room.
“At last!” cried Eaton, flushing with pleasure. “Julie, I dare speak to you now. I love you with all my heart.”
He stopped short, for the window was darkened by the figure of Stephen Crellock, who looked in for a moment, and then beckoned with his hand to some one in the verandah. Hallam came forward looking flushed and angry, and the two men entered the room.
“We are just in time,” said Crellock with a half laugh, but with a savage flash of the eye at Eaton. “Mr Lieutenant Eaton is bidding the ladies good-bye.”
Eaton gave him an indignant look, and turned to Hallam.
“Mr Hallam,” he said proudly, “Mr Crellock is wrong. I have been speaking to Mrs Hallam and—”