“But there is a doubt as to his letting them control—I see.”
“Yes! And you alone can help him solve it—if any one can. And I have great hopes, Elaine, great hopes!” regarding her with approving eyes. “How any chap could resist you is inconceivable—I could not.”
“You could not at one time, you mean.”
“You gave me no encouragement,—so I must, perforce, fare elsewhere.”
“And now?” she asked.
“How many love affairs have you come down here to settle?” he laughed. “By the way, Croyden is impatient to come over this afternoon. The guest in the trap with Miss Carrington has aroused his curiosity. He could see only a long brown coat and a brown hat, but the muff before your face, and his imagination, did the rest.”
“Does he suspect?” she inquired, anxiously. 263
“That it’s you? No! no! It’s simply the country town beginning to tell on him. He is curious about new guests, and Miss Carrington hadn’t mentioned your coming! He suggested, in a vague sort of way, that there was something familiar about you, but he didn’t attempt to particularize. It was only a momentary idea.”
She looked her relief.
“Shall you meet him alone?”