"Ah don't speak of that," Nick murmured. "Only be nice to my mother. We shall make her supremely happy."
"It wouldn't be for your mother I'd do it—yet I'm glad I like your people," Mrs. Dallow rectified. "Leave them to me!"
"You're generous—you're noble," he stammered.
"Your mother must live at Broadwood; she must have it for life. It's not at all bad."
"Ah Julia," her companion replied, "it's well I love you!"
"Why shouldn't you?" she laughed; and after this no more was said between them till the boat touched shore. When she had got out she recalled that it was time for luncheon; but they took no action in consequence, strolling in a direction which was not that of the house. There was a vista that drew them on, a grassy path skirting the foundations of scattered beeches and leading to a stile from which the charmed wanderer might drop into another division of Mrs. Dallow's property. She said something about their going as far as the stile, then the next instant exclaimed: "How stupid of you—you've forgotten Mr. Hoppus!"
Nick wondered. "We left him in the temple of Vesta. Darling, I had other things to think of there."
"I'll send for him," said Julia.
"Lord, can you think of him now?" he asked.
"Of course I can—more than ever."