"Not the least bit in the world?"
Lucy lifted her eyes again demurely. "When one comes to deal with such very small quantities, Mr Monteith," she said, "it is difficult to speak with scientific accuracy. If you really care to know——"
"Yes?"
"Where are the Munros?"
"In the next carriage. Do finish your sentence."
"I don't remember what I was going to say," said Lucy calmly. "A sure proof, my old nurse used to tell me, that it was better unsaid."
She sprang lightly up the high step of the carriage, and then turned to say good-bye. The colour in her cheeks was very bright.
Ten minutes later she seemed to have forgotten everything except the wonderful afterglow, which reddened the rocks and trees, and converted the whole surface of the sea into one blazing ruby shield.
Sir Douglas was nodding over his newspaper. Lucy laid her hand on Lady Munro's soft fur.
"You have been very good to me," she said. "I don't know how to thank you. I really think you have opened the gates of Paradise to me."