She put her hand into his for a second; he had thrown away his cigar and turned to walk by her side. “How fast you walk,” he said; “I have been watching you for the last three minutes.”
“I haven’t much time to lose,” said Embrance, apologetically, “as a rule. The park gate will shut soon.”
“Yes, to be sure. Do you like the Regent’s-park?”
“Very much; don’t you?”
“Oh yes, immensely, but somehow I never come here. No, indeed, I don’t,” in answer to her look of amusement; “I came to-day because I thought there was a chance of meeting you. There is something that I want to talk to you about. Do you know that you are the most difficult person in the world to approach?”
“I should not have thought so,” said Embrance, with a smile. “I think I can guess what you are going to tell me.”
He shook his head: “I’m afraid you can’t.”
“You must not suppose that she means all she says; only give her time and she will take your advice.”
“Ah, yes; Joan, you mean?”
It struck Embrance that he was very absent and unlike himself, but she had broached the subject now, and she felt bound to go on with it. “She told me that she was very sorry that she had been ungracious about some suggestion that you made. I’m quite sure that she would not willingly say anything to hurt you.”