“Oh! about nine—if I may,” was the young man’s reply.
“Will you be back to-night?” asked the girl who, in a pretty pink dinner frock, sat opposite him.
“Yes. But it won’t be till late, I expect,” he replied.
“Remember, to-morrow we are going for a run to Bournemouth and back,” said the girl. “Mrs. Bond has kindly arranged it, and I daresay she will come, too.”
“I don’t know yet, dear,” replied Mrs. Bond. The truth was that she intended that the young couple should spend the day alone together.
Benton was filled with curiosity.
As soon as the meal was over, and the two ladies had left the room, he poured out a glass of port and turning to the young fellow, remarked:
“Don’t you think it’s a bit dangerous to go to town, Hugh?”
“It may be, but I must take the risk,” was the other’s reply.
“What are you going up for?” asked Benton bluntly.