“She no longer wants anything from me; she would only resent my interference.”
“You are thinking only of yourself—what difference can her attitude make now? Promise me that you will do something—promise—”
“Perhaps the voice of youth is the voice to follow—I am afraid I have grown old and age does not love knighthood, but I promise that if I see any way in which to change her destiny and mine, I will make what effort I can. I will think about it.”
It was almost dark now, and Gloria was standing beside them before they saw her.
“Angela’s been looking for you; she wants you to play billiards, Ruth.”
“But I don’t know how.”
“That doesn’t make any difference; neither do I and neither does Miss Gilchrist; you just stand around and make the men wish that you’d go away and let them have a good game—but don’t go just yet,” as Ruth started away. “I want to say something to Professor Pendragon and I don’t want to be alone with him.”
Ruth could not see his face very clearly, but she saw his long white hands clenching over the arms of his chair.
“I thought, of course, when we met this morning, that you would find some excuse for going away on the next train, Percy.”
“Why should I do that, Gloria? I did not know you were coming; you did not know I was here. We have been thrown together for a brief time. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Peyton-Russell knows that we have met before. I have promised to stay over the New Year. John knows I haven’t any particular business interest to call me away. I thought the least conspicuous thing would be to stay. My illness makes it easy for me to stay much in my own rooms. We need not meet often, but if you wish, of course, I can go tomorrow.”