He could imagine a reason which he would not have had Suzette suspect for worlds. Perhaps among the available young men in Mrs. Mornington's circle he was the best placed, with an ample income in the present, and an estate that must be his in the future, the best placed of all except the young master of Discombe Manor; and the Lord of Discombe was away, while he, Allan, was on the spot.
The thought of Geoffrey Wornock suggested a question. They had left the little table to Mrs. Mornington and Colonel Fordingbridge, who were able to take care of each other. Allan and Miss Vincent were going to the dancing-room, not by the nearest way, but through a French window into the garden.
"Shall we take a little turn before we go back to the house?"
"I should like it of all things."
"And you are not afraid of catching cold?"
"On such a night as this? Why, in the hills I lived out-of-doors!"
"You have been at Matcham before, I suppose!"
"Yes, father and I stayed here with auntie once upon a time."
"Long ago?"
"Ages ago, when I wore short petticoats and wasn't allowed late dinner."