He began to speak at once, and again I forgot Cousin Geoffrey under the spell of my cousin’s voice. He told me two or three more of his adventures that evening. I made very few comments, but the hours flew on wings as I listened. No one interrupted us as we sat together in the conservatory; but although I remembered this fact with burning cheeks, later on, it passed unnoticed by me at the time. Suddenly my cousin stopped speaking.
“You have been a very kind listener,” he said. “I did not know a girl could care so much just for a man’s mere adventures. I’m going back to Africa next week. I shall think of you in my next moments of peril.”
Then I remembered Cousin Geoffrey’s will, and all that Tom Valentine’s going away meant to my family and me.
“Must you go in a week? must you really go in a week?” I said excitedly.
“I have made my arrangements to go in about a week,” he replied, starting back a little and looking at me in astonishment. I knew why he looked like that. The regret in my tone had been unmistakable.
Before I could reply Tottie rushed in.
“You two,” she exclaimed; “you really must come to make up the number we want in our round game.”
Laughter filled her eyes and bubbled round her lips.
“Come, come,” she said; “we can’t do without you, or rather the game can’t.”