“There’s your car,” said Miss Forbes. “I’ll go out and see you off.”
“You’re very good,” muttered Winthrop. He could not understand. This parting from her was the great moment in his life, and although she must know that, she seemed to be making it unnecessarily hard for him. He had told her he was going to a place very far away, to be gone a long time, and she spoke of saying “good-by” to him as pleasantly as though it was his intention to return from Uganda for breakfast.
Instead of walking through the hall where the others were gathered, she led him out through one of the French windows upon the terrace, and along it to the steps. When she saw the chauffeur standing by the car, she stopped.
“I thought you were going alone,” she said.
“I am,” answered Winthrop. “It’s not Fred; that’s Sam’s chauffeur; he only brought the car around.”
The man handed Winthrop his coat and cap, and left them, and Winthrop seated himself at the wheel. She stood above him on the top step. In the evening gown of lace and silver she looked a part of the moonlight night. For each of them the moment had arrived. Like a swimmer standing on the bank gathering courage for the plunge, Miss Forbes gave a trembling, shivering sigh.
“You’re cold,” said Winthrop, gently. “You must go in. Good-by.”
“It isn’t that,” said the girl. “Have you an extra coat?”
“It isn’t cold enough for——”
“I meant for me,” stammered the girl in a frightened voice. “I thought perhaps you would take me a little way, and bring me back.”