"Will you go to my den? I will follow you there immediately," and turned aside that he might not see her face.
He coloured with disappointment and surprise, but of course there would be greater privacy there... Without a word he went.
As the door closed him in with Lossie, Chris came flying up the stairs, taking three steps at a time, a young god in his swiftness, strength and joy, bringing all the best gifts that life and love can bring to the beloved woman—too late.
CHAPTER XXXI
A DEBT OF HONOUR
It was not until Chris had caught Gay in those long, muscular arms of his, and lifted her clean off her feet, only to find her fiercely fighting his kisses, that he realised how completely his feelings had run away with him, how he had taken everything for granted, and he begged her forgiveness as he set her gently on the ground.
"Had a bother in the stable—one of my horses gone clean off his head," he said in his boyish way, "or I should have been here with the morning milk. I've got grand news, darling, Rensslaer has given me a berth and house at Elsinore—I'm giving up steeplechasing, and we're going to be happy ever after!"
"Are we?" she said; it did not sound like Gay's voice at all, and she was rubbing her lips with a tiny pocket-handkerchief as if she were trying to rub something out.
"What is the matter?" said Chris, suddenly sobered.
"Oh, nothing," cried Gay, reckless in her pain, "only that so far as I am concerned, you are welcome to go on steeplechasing for ever—it's no concern of mine."