"Jill!" he stepped forward out of the shadows, tall and eager, in the clear white light.
He saw wonder and swift joy pass across her face as she wheeled round; then a curious look of repression.
"Hullo, Peter!" she answered him coolly. "What a surprise!—Have you dropped from the moon?"
CHAPTER XXX
"I found your letter at my Club," McTaggart explained, "on my way home. So I thought I'd just run down and see how you and Roddy were getting on."
He avoided a more direct allusion to Mrs. Uniacke's crowning folly, though he longed to express his sympathy. He knew, of old, Jill's pride.
"Roddy's out," said the girl, "he's gone to the theatre with a school friend. He didn't want to, but I told him he must! He's awfully cut up about it all. But it's no good crying over spilt milk"—she smiled bravely—"is it, Peter? It's done now. That's the worst of marriage—it's for always." She checked a sigh.
As his eyes drank in the pretty face McTaggart decided to himself it might be also "the best of it!" But out aloud he responded quickly, glad she had broken the ice herself.
"I'm awfully sorry. I can't tell you how I feel about the whole affair. It's ... the limit!" his face was wrathful. "I'd like to have Stephen to myself for a little ... active argument. Gloves off—you understand?"