"She comes back to dinner?" he asked.
"She comes back to tea," his cousin answered, "and you have made me tired, Robin. I am going to rest till tea-time."
They went back to the house and Nelly left him in the drawing-room while she went away to her own room. He knew that she was giving him his opportunity and was grateful for it. How could he have been so mad as to think of letting Mary go away with nothing settled between them?
He walked up and down restlessly, while the dogs watched him in amazement from their cushions. It was a topsy-turvy world in which the dogs found themselves of late. They had almost reached the point of being surprised at nothing. It was lucky the carpet was so faded and shabby, for of late the General had worn a path in it with his restless movements; and now here was his nephew behaving as though he were an untamed creature in a cage and not a sober, serious legislator.
At last he heard her knock, and her light foot ascending the stairs. She looked surprised to find him alone and asked rather anxiously for Nelly.
"You didn't let her get over-tired?" she asked, apprehensively.
"No; we walked very little. She said she would rest till tea-time. Well, have you packed?"
"I have put my things together. I am going to ask to be allowed off to-morrow. I shall sleep at the flat to-morrow night, if they can spare me, and be off the next morning."
"You are glad to be free?"
"Very glad. I was also glad to stay. And you?"