“Must you go?” he asked.
She nodded. Then she laughed.
“If you only knew what trouble I have getting here you’d appreciate——” She broke off, reddening a little.
“I do appreciate,” he said earnestly. “And I thank you very much for your kindness this morning to a very undeserving chap. I—do you know, Miss Devereux, I came within an ace of calling at The Larches yesterday afternoon?”
She looked up quickly.
“Yes, I went for a walk in the afternoon and found myself at the gate over there. I could see that you had a fire in the library and——”
“But how did you know it was the library?” she asked.
“Why—er—wasn’t it? I supposed it was. Anyhow, it looked dreadfully tempting. I pictured you sitting in front of it, and I very nearly paid a call.”