"Do you think that I have no feeling?" she asked, pitifully. "Do you think that I can bear to have you leave me next week, and go back to London and never be able to so much as hear from you, to know what you are doing, or if you still think of me? How can you love such a creature as you think me—foolish, ignorant, inconstant——"
Could it be Elsa who spoke? Elsa, whose lovely face glowed with expression and feeling? Her development had indeed been rapid. Lost in wonder and admiration, he could not answer her, but remained mutely looking at her, till, with a little cry of angry shame, she bounded up and ran away from him.
Leaping to his feet, he followed and captured her. Hardly knowing what he did, he took her in his arms. Her lovely cheek rested against his dark blue flannel coat, she was content to have it so, for the moment she believed that she loved him.
The great red sun had rolled into the sea, when the two came up to the camping place again. Tea was half over, and they were greeted with a derisive chorus. Wyn, however, looked apprehensively at her brother's illuminated expression and gleaming eye, and Claud, noting the same danger-signals, looked at her, and their eyes met.
"Where is Godfrey?" asked Mr. Fowler.
"Jove, I forgot! I must go and fetch him," cried Osmond, laughing, as he ran off.
"Mr. Allonby put him in punishment for behaving so badly," explained Elsa, with burning blushes.
"What had he done?" asked Dr. Forbes, with interest.
"He was very rude to Mr. Allonby," she faltered.
"I'm grateful indeed to Allonby for keeping him in order," laughed her godfather.