He rose, and, placing his hands on the other's shoulders, gently forced him back on his chair.
"I am giving you too much trouble, Miss Layard," Bramwell said, with a smile; "but if I must stay and you will go, there is nothing for it but to submit."
His real reason for yielding so readily was the intense pleasure it gave him to find that she took such an interest in his boy.
"Put the lamp in the kitchen-window, Miss Layard," said Philip, when the two found themselves in the back passage. "The light will be useful in crossing the stage."
She did as she was bidden, and rejoined him on Crawford's Quay, just outside the back door, which they left open so as to get the benefit of the hall-light.
"Give me your hand now," said he, and he led her across the floating bridge. "You had better leave me your hand still," he said when they were on the Ait. "It is very dark, and I know the place thoroughly. What do you think of Mr. Bramwell?"
"I think him simply wonderful. I never heard anything like him before. Does he always talk as he did to-night?"
"No; still he usually talks well. But though I have been very intimate with him for many years I never heard him talk so well. As a rule he speaks with great caution, but to-night he threw reserve to the winds and let himself go."
"I think I can manage now without your help," she said, endeavouring to withdraw her hand.
"I should be very sorry to believe anything of the kind," said he, preventing her. "You had better leave me your hand for a little while."