“Where has everybody gone?” Kathleen asked wonderingly.
“All gone out, I think,” Gwen replied unblushingly, and then went off with her Giant to the drawing-room, knowing perfectly well Lawrence’s sisters never went into his den, and that therefore her strategy was quite successful.
Meanwhile, when Paddy saw that Gwen had closed the door after her, she leaned forward with a doubtful expression and appeared about to follow.
“Don’t run away,” said Lawrence, “or I shall think you are afraid of me.”
“I am not afraid of anyone,” stoutly, still looking toward the door.
“No, I know you are not. Still, the others most certainly don’t want us; we should only be in the way.”
It was too true. Paddy leaned back and stared into the fire, and that little droop hovered round her lips again. Kathleen was sure to be with her mother, and the others all dispersed.
“Not even anyone to go ratting with,” he said, with a tender little smile.
The lips twitched and then settled again to the droop, while she tried to reinforce herself for the struggle that loomed ahead. No use to run away now. The time had come for a final understanding, and it must be faced.
Lawrence watched her a little while in silence, and there was absolute stillness in the room except for the cheery crackling of the fresh log he had just thrown on the fire.