“Why, yes,—for this,” and she tossed them into the fire.
He looked at them as they withered in the blaze, then said, “Have you any objection to my carrying away the ashes, Miss Philipse?”
She answered, considerately, “’Twill take you more time than you can lose, to gather them up.”
“Oh, I am in no haste.”
“Oh, then, I ask your pardon. A moment since, you were about to go.”
“But now I prefer to stay.”
“Indeed? May I ask the reason—but no matter.”
But he felt that a reason ought to be forthcoming. “Why, you know, because—” And here he thought of one. “I wish to stay to meet Major Colden, of whom you say I am afraid. I shall prove to you at least I am no coward. After what you have said to me this night, I must in honor wait to face him.”
“But it is late now. I don’t think he will come till to-morrow.”
“Then I can wait till to-morrow.”