It was what I wanted above everything on earth, and yet I said:
"No, no! It wouldn't be fair. Martin will be too busy at the last moment."
But Martin himself jumped in eagerly with:
"Certainly! Delighted! Greatest pleasure in the world."
And then, while Alma gave my husband a look of arch triumph to which he replied with a painful smile, Martin leaned over to me and whispered"
"Hush! I want to! I must!" though what he meant by that I never knew.
He continued to look at me with a tender expression until we said good-bye; but after the carriage door had been closed and the engine had throbbed, and the guard had whistled, I thought I had never seen his strong face so stern as when the train moved from the platform.
FIFTY-SIXTH CHAPTER
We reached Ellan towards the close of the following day. It was the height of the holiday season, and the island seemed to be ablaze with lights.