Laura suddenly laughed, and Mason opened his eyes in astonishment. Such a strange little dry sound!
"Of course, if your mother were to think such things and to say them to me—every time I went to Bannisdale, I couldn't stay. But I want to see Augustina very, very much." Her voice wavered. "And I could easily go to her—if I were close by—when she was alone. And of course I should be no expense. Your mother knows I have my own money."
Hubert nodded. He was trying hard to read her face, but—what the deuce made girls so close? His countenance brightened however.
"All right. I'll see to it—I'll manage it—you wait."
"Ah! but stop a minute." Her smile shone out from the shadow of the hat.
"If I go there's a condition. While I'm there, you mustn't come."
The young fellow flung away from her with a passionate exclamation, and her smile dropped—lost itself in a sweet distress, unlike the old wild Laura.
"I seem to be falling out with you all the time," she said in haste—"and I don't want to a bit! But indeed—it will be much better. You see, if you were to be coming over to pay visits to me—you would think it your duty to make love to me!"
"Well—and if I did?" he said fiercely.
"It would only put off the time of our making real friends. And—and—I do care very much for papa's people."
The tears leapt to her eyes for the first time. She held out her ungloved hand.