"You may have a bad time. The Colonel will kick up an awful fuss; but remember, you're not in the least responsible. I'm the criminal."
It was as if she had said, "Don't exaggerate your importance. I, not you, am Miss Tancred's savior and deliverer."
He stiffened visibly. "I shall not quarrel with you for the rôle."
XII
Monday was the day of the great deliverance, the day that was fixed for Frida Tancred's flight. And, as if it meant to mark an era and a hegira and the beginning of revolution, it distinguished itself from other days by suitable signs and portents. It dawned through a brooding haze that threatened heat, then changed its mind, thickened and massed itself for storm. While he was dressing, Durant was made aware of the meteorological disturbance by an incessant tap-tap on the barometer as the Colonel consulted his oracle in the hall. The official announcement was made at breakfast.
"There is a change in the glass," said the Colonel. "Mr. Durant brought the fine weather with him and Miss Chatterton is taking it away."
"I'm taking something else away beside the weather," said she.
But the spirit of prophecy was upon him.
"To judge by to-day's forecast, I think we shall see Frida back again before the fine weather."
Whereupon Durant smiled and Miss Chatterton laughed, which gave him an agreeable sense of being witty as well as prophetic.