“Tim—my Tim,” she said, and her voice shook a little. “I'll try not to disappoint you.”
CHAPTER XV
THE NAME OF DURWARD
The Durwards received the news of their son's engagement to Sara with unfeigned delight. Geoffrey was bluffly gratified at the materialization of his private hopes, and Elisabeth had never appeared more captivating than during the few days that immediately followed. She went about as softly radiant and content as a pleased child, and even the strange, watchful reticence that dwelt habitually in her eyes was temporarily submerged by the shining happiness that welled up within them.
She urged that an early date should be fixed for the wedding, and Sara, with a dreary feeling that nothing really mattered very much, listlessly acquiesced. Driven by conflicting influences she had burned her boats, and the sooner all signs of the conflagration were obliterated the better.
But she opposed a quiet negative to the further suggestion that she should accompany the Durwards to Barrow Court instead of returning to Monkshaven.
“No, I can't do that,” she said with decision. “I promised Doctor Dick I would go back.”
Elisabeth smiled airily. Apparently she had no scruples about the keeping of promises.
“That's easily arranged,” she affirmed. “I'll write to your precious doctor man and tell him that we can't spare you.”