“Yes.”
“Oh,” rising and going quickly to his side. “You are not serious, you could not go; so many people need you here!”
“They can very well get along without me,” he said shortly.
She searched his face eagerly; there was a faint wistful smile on her lips. It was plain she was uncertain as to how she might take his words.
“I am quite in earnest, Mrs. Landray,” he said. “You could trust me.”
“Oh, yes—implicitly.”
A swift sense of joy came to him. He was about to do a very foolish thing; but the fact that it would be for her, dignified the folly; it became desirable, a privilege.
“But can you go?” doubtfully.
“Why not?” and he laughed boyishly. “What's to keep me if I wish to go? However, you must understand that I am making a promise that future events will probably render void; so you need not thank me, since I can't think I'll have the opportunity to earn your thanks.”
“But I do thank you!”