'When I tell him of my love for you——' he began.
'Oh, that you must not—must not do—yet awhile, at least!' she exclaimed earnestly.
'Why, my darling?'
'Don't ask me—do not ask me! Be content that—that——'
'You love me?'
'Oh, Cecil—yes. But your love for me—when did it first begin?' she asked, looking up with the same fond yet shy smile again on her soft face.
'Heaven only knows—when I first saw you, without a doubt,' replied Falconer, drawing her towards him. 'But now tell me, darling——'
Ere he could say more, she shrank from him. A step was heard on the gravelled path, Snarley growled and showed his teeth, and Hew appeared close by them, at the mouth of the grotto—Hew, with a very dubious and mingled expression on his face.
'Have you not heard the gong sound for luncheon?' he asked, curtly and sulkily.
'Hew—returned already!' said Mary, blushing deeply.