As for Philip, his thoughts were too full of other things to notice his cousin Marion’s behavior very much. He had always been a sincere admirer of her beauty and cleverness, but the first evening of her return he decided that, after all, Lillie was far the sweeter and more lovable of the two girls; and even Rose, he thought, who was rather plain and freckled, had a much more amiable expression than her handsome elder sister.
When the time came to say good-by, and Philip was going about with rather a sad smile, shaking hands and embracing the dear friends who had made his stay at the rectory such a happy one, he noticed that Marion seemed to hold back, and he tried not to care, although he flushed painfully as he went toward her, holding out his hand.
“Good-by, Marion,” he said; “I am so sorry that I am leaving just as you have come back to Lowdown.”
She made no reply, and held out a limp, reluctant hand. “Good-by,” she said coldly at last, as he waited hesitatingly for a word.
Philip gave her a swift glance, and then, overcoming his shyness, he said impulsively:
“Oh, Marion, is that all you can say—not—not just one word to wish me success with my music?”
His voice trembled a little, and his cousin could not resist the pleading in his eyes. She dropped her own, saying rather more graciously:
“Yes, oh, yes, of course I wish you good luck. I am very glad that you are to have such a fine chance to see something of the world, and I hope—that is—I am sure that you will try to be a credit to the family.”
Just then the carriage from Ashden arrived, bringing Lord Ashden, who had been detained at the last moment, so that there was just time for Philip to jump in beside him, and the horses started off on a run to the railroad station.
Philip stood up on the seat of the carriage, waving his cap; he kept his eyes fastened upon Aunt Delia, who was keeping her promise not to cry, by laughing hysterically at the frantic efforts of poor Dash to escape from her arms and follow his young master. And then a turn in the road hid the carriage and the little swaying figure from the sight of the group on the rectory steps, and Mr. Seldon put his arm gently around his wife, saying: