“Well, I seem to be always putting my foot into it somehow, and I don’t think I am wanted here,” he added petulantly.
She stiffened. “You must please yourself. I hope you don’t find it very boring here?”
“You know I don’t, Mabel, but you seem to have changed towards me. You are always trying to snub me in front of Collins, and you treat me almost as a stranger. Why can’t we announce our engagement, and then we should know where we stand?”
She flushed. “Really, Eric, you sometimes behave like a spoilt child. You know my reasons. It is too soon after my father’s death, especially as he disapproved, and I would like to wait till my brother comes back.”
“But he may be dead, and we may have to wait for years. He has been advertised enough for, and if a man will not come to take up a title and position, there must be something wrong.”
“What do you mean?” she said, angrily.
“Oh, I don’t mean anything dishonourable, but something to prevent him coming. He may be out of touch of civilisation,” he said, lamely.
“Very well,” she said, “then I will go further. I will not become engaged until my brother comes back. I am certain he is not dead.”
“That means, I suppose, you have ceased to care for me?”
“It means nothing of the sort and you know it. If I did not care for you, should I have stuck to you against my father’s wishes?”