He strolled through the other walks—the peony, the mock-orange, and the golden-rose, but without success. She was not in any of them. He turned back to the house, a little discouraged. Now, that he had decided to go home, he had also decided that he wanted Miss Stirling to go back with him—and this was not a propitious beginning.
He met Brandon coming down the steps.
"What success?" he said.
"You mean, with Miss Stirling?" Parkington asked.
The other nodded.
"Poor," was the answer. "I forgot the rendezvous."
"Have you made your peace?"
"I have not found her."
"You are a careless fellow, De Lysle—I saw you go off with Miss Marbury. Why did you do it?"