"Then let me speak to you again in three months' time. May I?"
"But my answer will be the same as now."
"No, it will not. You will let me speak again then, won't you?"
"And you'll accept what I say then as final?"
"If you wish it. That is, if you'll promise me one thing."
"Tell me what it is."
"That if you refuse me at the end of three months, and then if you alter your mind afterwards, you'll let me know."
"Yes, I promise that. But mind, after that you are not to speak to me, that is, on this subject, till I tell you."
"Yes, I promise that."
Herbert Briarfield turned away from Olive as he spoke, and walked to the end of the lawn. There could be no doubt that he was deeply in earnest. A look of fierce determination shone from his eyes, and his hands clenched and unclenched nervously.