“Max—Mr. Nugent did,” answered Violet frankly—“But only just as far as the door. I asked him to come in and see Miss Letty, but he wouldn’t!”
“Why wouldn’t he?” asked the Major.
“Oh, I don’t know!” and Violet gave a pretty gesture of deprecation—“I think he was shy!”
Desmond gave a short laugh.
“Shy! I never heard that of Max Nugent before! However,—love works wonders! Well now, Violet, Miss Leslie and I have been talking this matter over—and I’ll tell you what we have decided. We are going to take you back to England for a year!”
Violet rose from her kneeling attitude at her uncle’s side, and her face grew wistful.
“To England!”
“Yes—to England. Eh, Letty?” and he gave her a side wink. Miss Letty was startled, but she did not show it outwardly. She merely replied with a becoming meekness,—
“Whatever you think best for Violet, Dick.”
“Well, I think that best,” said Desmond firmly—“And to England we will go as soon as the summer is over; it’s July now—we’ll give you August and September to be happy in your own way, Violet, and to make Mr. Nugent distinctly understand that you have sufficient breadth and firmness of character to obey those who feel themselves responsible in a way for your future life and happiness,—and that you mean to make him deserve you by patience and fidelity. Do you understand?”