She smiled a little, understanding to the finest shade his meaning, and then a quiver of weakness touched her.
“I should die if you let me slip, Christopher.”
“You are going to live,” he said firmly, and kissed her again.
CHAPTER XXXI
Christopher entirely forgot to tell Patricia of his fortune or parentage. He remembered that little omission as he went down to dinner and looked back to see if she were visible, but she was not in sight, and as he was already late he had to go in without her.
She came down still later, looking so beautiful with such a touch of warm colour in her face, and so sweet a light of wonder in her eyes that even Nevil regarded her with speculative interest.
Aymer had long given up dining with them, and no one spoke of the lawyers’ visit or of Christopher’s rapid flittings, or indeed of any of the subjects on which their minds were really intent. But there seemed a tacit understanding amongst them that dinner must not be a long affair and was a prelude to something yet to happen.
They went out together and Christopher delayed Patricia in the hall.