‘Oh, I don’t know. The chance came. And the notion attracted me. A bigger, fresher world; experience⸺’
‘You seem mighty keen on experience,’ Mark struck in. ‘D’you mean knowledge—or simply new sensations?’
She hesitated. ‘After all—new sensations are a form of knowledge. The most interesting on earth. I’d go almost anywhere to discover the feel of things⸺’
She stopped short, and Mark frowned into vacancy. For the first time he caught himself wondering how old was she.
‘I should say better be an ignoramus than a mere connoisseur in sensations,’ he remarked quietly. ‘But perhaps I missed your meaning?’
‘Perhaps there wasn’t any meaning to miss! I was talking—rather at random.’ Then very lightly she leaned her head against his. ‘Mark—dearest, don’t look like that.’
‘Well, you mustn’t talk like that,’ he said with decision. ‘How long were you in America?’
‘Eighteen months. Not very pleasant always. But it did me no end of good. I even went home for a time, full of fine resolves. But the poor things soon shrivelled up in father’s atmosphere. Then—it was Harry to the rescue.’
‘And now it’s Mark!’ With sudden fervour he caught her to him. ‘No more “phases” after this, my Bel. You shall have your freedom and your chance. I’ll make up to you, all I can, for the bad years. Mother will love you⸺’
Bel shook her head. ‘She doesn’t like me.’