“She’s stanch as steel,” said Kit, and his eyes sparkled. “Sometimes I imagine you don’t like Evelyn; but you don’t know her. She doesn’t hesitate and think for herself. Her pluck’s fine.”
Agatha’s glance was cool and searching.
“And Mrs. Haigh? Does she approve?”
“At all events, she’s resigned. Evelyn, however, does not engage to marry me; for Mrs. Haigh to allow it would be remarkable. I get my chance to make good, and if I do so, I may claim my reward. In the meantime that is all, but I feel it’s much. Anyhow, your satisfaction isn’t very marked.”
Agatha got up and put her arm round his neck.
“You are all I’ve got, Kit, and I see obstacles,” she said gently. “Yet you’re not soon daunted, and Evelyn is fine. Well, now you have an object, you must fight hard, and I’ll hope for your success.”
Kit kissed her, and she went off. He saw she was not altogether satisfied, but he admitted she had not much grounds for satisfaction, and she was kind. He smoked a cigarette and went to bed.
In the morning he carried a newspaper to a bench in front of the house and began to study the steamship advertisements. Soon afterward Jasper Carson came along the terrace.
“My sister-in-law is across at Mrs. Haigh’s,” he said. “I understand Evelyn means to stick to you.”
“That is so, sir,” Kit agreed.