‘I will not fail to do so. For the present, I presume you will say nothing to your sister?’
‘Why trouble her till the time comes? Let her linger in her love-dream while she may. The waking will be a cruel one when it comes.’
‘With all my heart, I hope not!’ answered the colonel fervently. Then, as he took her hand, he added: ‘We shall meet again in a few hours.’
‘How good you are!’ she murmured, with a little break in her voice.
He shook his head, but would not trust himself to speak. He was more moved than he would have cared to own. Once more he lifted her fingers to his lips. Next moment she was alone.
Mr Dulcimer and Miss Wynter went gaily on their way to the lake. To hear them talking and laughing, no one would have thought that they had a care beyond the enjoyment of the passing hour, yet each was secretly conscious that for them that day might perchance prove one of the most momentous in their lives. They found a boat with fishing-tackle awaiting them. Bella shook a little as she bade farewell to terra firma. She felt as an ancient Greek might have felt—that the Fates were against her—that destiny was stronger than she, and urged her forward whether she wished it or not. She who had heretofore been so wilful seemed to have no power of will left in her.
Before long they found themselves at a point near the head of the lake where Dick had been told that he might possibly find some fish. For a quarter of an hour or so he plied his rod industriously, but not even a nibble rewarded his perseverance. ‘Ah,’ said he at last, ‘the fish are evidently off their feed this morning.’
He did not seem in the least put about by his ill-luck, but laying his rod across the thwarts, he proceeded leisurely to light his pipe. Bella watched him nervously. As soon as his pipe was fairly under way, he looked straight into Bella’s eyes and said: ‘I did not so much come out here this morning to fish as to secure an opportunity for a little quiet talk with you.’
‘I can quite believe it. There is something underhand about most things that you do,’ she answered as she dipped one of her hands carelessly into the water.