She regarded him with some surprise.
"Last night! Late, do you mean? Did you meet, see anyone?"
There was a dawning suspicion in her eyes, and she regarded his averted
face keenly; she noticed that he hesitated and seemed embarrassed.
"No one you know," he replied, feeling that it was impossible for him
to speak Ida's name.
"How do you know?" she asked, with a curious smile. "Who was it?"
"I met Miss Heron of Herondale," he said, trying to speak casually, and
wondering what she would say, hoping fervently that she would ask no
more questions.
The blood rushed to her face, her eyes flashed and her lips tightened;
but she did not speak, and moved away to the window, standing there
looking out, but seeing nothing. He had gone to _her_ the moment he had
returned: what did it mean? But she dared not ask; for she knew
instinctively how slight was the chain by which she held him. With an
effort she restrained the rage, the fierce jealousy, which threatened
to burst forth in violent reproaches and accusation; and after a minute
or two she turned to him, outwardly calm and smiling.
"Have you made any plans, Stafford?" she asked. "My father was speaking
of your return; he thought of writing to you. Dearest, there must be no
reserve between us now--now that you have come back. See, I speak quite
frankly. My father thinks--thinks that our marriage should take place
at once. He has withdrawn his objection, and--and you will not thwart
him, Stafford? It is hard for me to have to say this; but--but you will
understand."
"I understand," he said in a low voice. "I am grateful to your father.
Our marriage shall take place as soon as you please. It is for you to
fix the date, Maude."
She nestled against him and touched his coat with her lips.
"I am ashamed of myself," she murmured; "but, ah, well! love casteth
out shame."
A servant knocked at the door.
"The horse is round, miss," he announced.
"I was going for a ride," she said; "but I will send the horse
away--unless you will ride with me. You will, Stafford?"
"Certainly," he said, glad of the interruption to this _tête-à-tête_
which had been to him a positive torture.
"I will not be five minutes," she said, brightly. "You'd like to go
over the house? They shall bring you something to drink in the
smoking-room, or here, if you like: you are lord and master."