“Thanks. I would rather not find myself pledged to throw up the service, or get leave home, if it’s all the same to you.”
“It’s nothing of that sort—merely a way of spending the next two or three months. No, it’s not expensive—not like going down to the coast or to the Hills. But it will be very quiet and dull, and no chance of fighting. Oh, don’t guess. I want to be able to tell the Chief that you know nothing about it, so that if he is angry he mayn’t scold you. You would sacrifice yourself to help Penelope, wouldn’t you?”
“H’m, well—within limits,” said Sir Dugald.
CHAPTER XX.
THE ISLE OF AVILION.
“Miss Sahib, the Doctor Sahib!”
“The door is shut,” said Penelope hastily; but Dr Tarleton had followed the servant up the stairs, and now stood on the house-top confronting her. She glanced wildly round for a way of escape, but there was none, and she was obliged to go forward and hold out a nerveless hand to him. He looked her steadily in the face.
“It’s no good trying to run away from me, Miss Ross. I was determined to see you.”
“Thank you, but there is nothing the matter with me,” wilfully misunderstanding him.
“Not with you, perhaps, but with other people.” He sat down, uninvited.
“Oh, if I can be of any use——” but she spoke listlessly, and her eyes had sought the mountains again.