“It will be dark inside the house. I'll come some other time, earlier.”
“Do you promise me that?”
“Certainly. You see, we can't run as fast up hill; it will take more than two minutes to return.”
Again the galloping of horses was heard, and Selden, with his sister, passed on their way back just as Mercedes and Gunther reached the bank at the edge of the lawn and sat down to rest.
Selden's sister had noticed how he flushed and how livid he became a minute after, and faithfully reported the fact to her vigilant mamma as soon as she got home. Arthur would be watched now. His mamma knew that he was a millionaire and considered “a catch.”
The Seldens had been abroad many years, the greater time in England, and had acquired some English habits, one of which was to dine late. That evening Arthur did not come down to dinner until half-past eight o'clock. He was afraid he would be questioned regarding the young lady with Robert Gunther. He felt too angry with his friend to hear his name spoken. But it was unavoidable. As soon as he took his seat at the table his mother asked:
“Who was the lady with Robert on the beach?”
“When?”
“This evening as we rode by his boat-house,” explained his sister.
“Were they coming out of the boat-house?” asked the elder sister. Arthur's lips became white again.