"Understand, that is simply my guess," I said. "You must have discovered that it is never possible to be sure of a woman's feelings."
"Found that out long ago," he replied with conviction, and added:
"Then you think I need not anticipate any trouble from her?"
"I have told you what I think," I answered; "you know better than I what the situation is."
He still lingered.
"Does she appear to be in,—ah,—in good spirits?"
I had work to keep my face straight.
"Capital," I said; "I never saw her happier."
This seemed to satisfy him.
"Downcast at first, happy now," he remarked thoughtfully. "Yes, she got over it. I'm much obliged to you, Crocker."
I left him to finish his short story and walked out across the circle of smooth lawn towards the golf links. And there I met Mrs. Cooke and her niece coming in together. The warm red of her costume became Miss Thorn wonderfully, and set off the glossy black of her hair. And her skin was glowing from the exercise. An involuntary feeling of admiration for this tall, athletic young woman swept over me, and I halted in my steps for no other reason, I believe, than that I might look upon her the longer.