Varney did not answer her. His eyes were glued upon Maginnis, and he called in a strange voice:
"You have been waiting for us."
"Haven't budged a step," answered Peter, moving out upon the landing. And he added what seemed an odd remark to Miss Carstairs: "I knew you were coming back."
He greeted Mary at the foot of the stairs, cordially, and begged the privilege of escorting her to any destination it might be her fancy to name. But she stoutly declined his good offices, as she had Varney's a moment before, declaring that she could not think of troubling so busy and important a man.
"But where did you spirit Mr. Hare off to, if I might ask?" she said.
"On a very important mission I assure you, madam,—that is, Miss Carstairs," said Peter, diplomatically, having no idea how matters stood. "He begged me to let him go back and say good-bye to you, but I told him I'd make it a personal matter."
"I am awfully glad that you have stopped calling me 'madam,'" said Mary, rather inconsequently. "I did hate it so!"
And she walked off up the woodland path, swinging her recovered parasol, and finding herself with a good deal to think about.
Peter, coming on deck, found his friend waiting for him, taut as a whipcord.
"Well, old horse!" said Maginnis. "Welcome back to jolly little
Hunston."