‘No, no—I won’t, of course. May I not know her name?’
‘No, not now, Bob. I cannot tell ’ee,’ John answered, and with truth, for Loveday did not know the name of any actress in the world.
When his brother had gone, Captain Bob hastened off in a state of great animation to Anne, whom he found on the top of a neighbouring hillock which the daylight had scarcely as yet deserted.
‘You have been a long time coming, sir,’ said she, in sprightly tones of reproach.
‘Yes, dearest; and you’ll be glad to hear why. I’ve found out the whole mystery—yes—why he’s queer, and everything.’
Anne looked startled.
‘He’s up to the gunnel in love! We must try to help him on in it, or I fear he’ll go melancholy-mad like.’
‘We help him?’ she asked faintly.
‘He’s lost his heart to one of the play-actresses at Budmouth, and I think she slights him.’
‘O, I am so glad!’ she exclaimed.