‘You know, I was so dreadfully sorry for that accident,’ said Alec. ‘I almost felt as if I had been to blame. But I couldn’t help the landslip, could I?’
‘Oh, of course not. And you must forget all the foolish things I said when I was in that terrible place. How brave you were! I am sure I owe you my life.’
‘Next time we go a-climbing, we shan’t go where there are any precipices,’ said Alec.
‘But we can’t go climbing any more,’ said Laura, with visible satisfaction. ‘Haven’t you heard? We are all to set out for Paris the day after to-morrow.’
‘For Paris!’
‘Yes; and perhaps, after that, we may go to Italy. Isn’t it splendid?’
‘Very—for you. But——’
He stopped, almost frightened at the audacious thought that had come into his mind. His pulses leaped, his heart throbbed, and his cheek grew pale.
Laura looked at him curiously.
‘“But”—what?’ she asked.