He stood up; but absorbed in the picture she made, he did not advance to greet her.
"I thought you had not come," he said; and even to say so much was an effort.
"I had things to do." She smiled. "Some of that shopping you reminded me of the other day! I came by the later train."
He recollected himself.
"I hope you have good news of Burmester," he said mechanically.
"The best," answered Melicent quietly. "He will be home in less than three weeks."
He had been staring at the grass, but on that he raised his eyes.
"And when shall you be—married?"
"The day is not fixed; only that it will be at Fransdale." There was a pause, and to fill it she said: "I hear Mr. Mayne has been here."
"Yes; I suppose you are going to his consecration next week?"