‘As soon as I can get back. Of course I only resume it at your special request.’
‘Of course.’ To one who had known all the circumstances it would have seemed a thousand pities that, after again getting face to face with him, she did not explain, without delay, the whole mischief that had separated them. But she did not do it—perhaps from the inherent awkwardness of such a topic at this idle time. She confined herself simply to the above-mentioned business-like request, and when the party had walked a few steps together they separated, with mutual promises to meet again.
‘I hope you have explained your mistake to him, and how it arose, and everything?’ said her aunt when they were alone.
‘No, I did not.’
‘What, not explain after all?’ said her amazed relative.
‘I decided to put it off.’
‘Then I think you decided very wrongly. Poor young man, he looked so ill!’
‘Did you, too, think he looked ill? But he danced last night. Why did he dance?’ She turned and gazed regretfully at the corner round which the Somersets had disappeared.
‘I don’t know why he danced; but if I had known you were going to be so silent, I would have explained the mistake myself.’
‘I wish you had. But no; I have said I would; and I must.’