He hesitated, opening his mouth to speak and shutting it again irresolutely.
"I told you to go," she repeated, raising her brows.
He took up his cap from the table, and went.
When Landor came in half an hour later he found her in her riding habit, sitting in front of the fire. She was still alone, and he felt instantly that there was more softness than ever before in the smile she gave him, more womanliness in the clinging of her hand. Altogether in her attitude and manner there was less of the restlessly youthful. He drew a chair beside hers, and settled back comfortably.
"Mr. Brewster has just been here," she said at length, and she played with the lash of her whip, avoiding his eyes, which was also a new way for her.
"I wish Brewster would not come so often," he said.
For answer she put out her hand and laid it upon his, not as she had often done it before, in the unattentive eagerness of some argument, but slowly, with a shadow of hesitation.
He was surprised, but he was pleased too, and he took the long fingers in his and held them gently.
"Do you still want me to marry you?" she asked him.