“That depends,” said Victoria.
“Upon whom?”
“Upon you.”
They were on the lower stairs by this times, and there was silence between then for a few moments as they descended,—principally because, after this exalting remark, Austen could not trust himself to speak.
“Will you go driving with me?” he asked, and was immediately thunderstruck at his boldness.
“Yes,” she answered, simply.
“How soon may I come?” he demanded.
She laughed softly, but with a joyous note which was not hidden from him as they stepped out of the darkened corridor into the dazzling winter noonday.
“I will be ready at three o'clock,” she said.
He looked at his watch.