"There is nothing else I would rather do. What time may I call?"
"I promised to go shopping with Aunt Madge in the morning, but after lunch——" She looked at him hesitatingly.
"I will call at half-past two." he said. "Good-bye, Mrs. Lawless."
He raised his hat and drove away without a backward look, and Marie went slowly into the house.
Miss Chester was in the drawing-room, patiently knitting as usual. She looked up with an anxious little smile as the girl entered.
As a rule Marie's first question was, "Any letters for me?" but to- day she did not ask. She looked a little flushed and preoccupied, and answered absently when Miss Chester spoke to her.
"Did you have a nice run, dear?"
"Lovely. I think the New Forest is the most beautiful place I have ever seen."
There was a little silence only broken by the click of the old lady's knitting needles, then she said quietly:
"I have had a letter from Chris. He is on his way home."