"
CHAPTER XVI
"No, you mustn't come in; I'm tired. Besides, I've got someone coming to
tea."
The ready lie slipped easily off Enid Crofton's tongue, as Jack Tosswill
looked down into her face with a strained, pleading look. They were
standing in the deserted road close to the outside door set in the
lichen-covered wall of The Trellis House. It was already getting dusk,
for they had been for a long walk.
"I shall never, never forget to-day!" He gripped her hand hard as he
spoke, and she looked up and down the empty road a little apprehensively.
But no one was coming or going, and the group of little old cottages
opposite The Trellis House held as yet no twinkling lights.
"I shall never forget it, either," she said softly. "But I really _must_
go in now--you know we are meeting this evening?"
"May I come and fetch you?" he asked.
"No, I'd rather you didn't do that--if you don't mind," and then, seeing
his look of deep disappointment, she added, "Perhaps you will walk back
with me after dinner?"
"Of course I will, but I'm afraid Radmore or one of the girls will want
to come too."
As he gazed down into her face there was a look of infinite longing in
his eyes, and even she felt a certain touch of genuine emotion sweep over
her.
Pages:
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227