"No, ma'am, he said it was of no consequence."
Mona bethought herself of Mr Reynolds.
"Was he an old gentleman?" she said.
"Oh no, ma'am; a youngish gentleman, tall and thin."
Mona's heart leaped. "Show him up to my sitting-room when he comes," she said quietly.
She went to her lecture as usual that afternoon, but found it difficult to give her full attention to the varieties, causes, and treatment of aneurism. The moment the class was over she hurried home, dressed with more than usual care, rearranged her flowers, dined without knowing what was on the table, and then seated herself in her rocking-chair with a book.
But she did not read. She proceeded to make a leisurely, critical survey of the room. It looked very pretty just then in the soft evening light, and at worst it was a picturesque, suggestive place.
She rose to her feet and redraped a curtain; then she glanced with satisfaction at the soft folds of her gown, and seated herself again with a sigh. How sensible of him it was to come to her quietly, here in her own territory, where they could talk over everything thoroughly, and explain all misunderstandings!
A loud rat-tat-tat resounded through the house. Alas! she knew that imperious knock only too well! A minute later Sir Douglas and her aunt entered the room.
"You do look well," he said, holding her at arm's-length before he kissed her. "I never saw you with such a colour."