"Sweetheart, whatever I was doing, you know I'd come from the ends of the earth, if you were ill. But I'm afraid father'll think me a fraud. It'll be your fault if I can't get away next week."
Eric had to think for a moment before he recalled that her birthday fell in the following week. It was the first time that she had referred even indirectly to it on her own initiative. He looked at her closely, but her face revealed only high spirits and a radiant pleasure in being with him again.
"I wanted to talk over one or two things with you," he explained, "We shall start fairer if you don't feel you're under any obligation to me——"
She caught hold of his hand and kissed it.
"I shall always feel that, Eric."
"Well, for to-night I want you to feel quite unembarrassed. I want to talk to you about Jack Waring. He was reported missing last August."
Barbara's face grew suddenly grave; and, in a whisper, she supplied the date.
"Well, his sister dined with me last n-night——"
Eric stopped as he caught himself stammering, but Barbara laid her hand imploringly on his arm.
"Go on!" she cried. "I can stand it!"