There was a smile in the girl’s eyes.
“Yes,” she replied, “but, all the same, Lisle’s supper’s waiting.”
“Such confidence makes one jealous,” grumbled Carew. “Lisle, whom I haven’t met, is evidently a man who keeps his promise. That means a good deal.”
“A very great deal,” Bella assured him. “Since one’s bound to meet with difficulties one can’t foresee, it proves that one man has resource, resolution, and many other eminently useful qualities; but all this is getting too serious. I’d better point out that Lisle hasn’t even promised to meet us here at any particular time.” She paused and laughed mischievously. “Millicent merely sent for him, mentioning to-morrow as the day she would like to start.”
A little color crept into Millicent’s face, but Bella went on:
“She called and I haven’t the least doubt that our guide set out, over ranges, up rapids, across wide lakes. One can’t imagine that man taking it easily, and there’s the obvious fact that Jim will have to keep up with him. He will find it hard, but I dare say it will do him good.”
Nasmyth laughed and strolled away with Carew. The sunset green grew dimmer behind the hills and a pale half-moon appeared above the shadowy woods. It was very still, except for the lapping of the water upon the stones.
Bella leaned back lazily in her chair.
“This is delightful,” she exclaimed. “Didn’t Clarence want to come?”
The unexpectedness of the question startled Millicent into answering: