Part 69 (1/2)
”You don't want it?”
”Don't I! A girl who can write a letter like that to a chap isn't easily forgotten, I can tell you.”
Mavis did not reply. Windebank, seeing how she was embarra.s.sed, told her of his more recent doings; how, after getting Perigal's letter, he had set out for England as soon as he could start; how he had saved three days by taking the overland route from Brindisi (such was his anxiety to see his little Mavis, who had never been wholly out of his thoughts), to arrive home before he was expected.
”I had an early feed and came out hoping to see you,” he concluded.
Mavis did not speak. She was deliberating if she should tell Windebank of her approaching marriage; if he cared seriously for her, it was only fair that he should know her affections were bestowed.
”Aren't you glad to see me?” he asked.
”Of course, but--”
”There are no 'buts.' You're coming home with me.”
”Home!”
”To meet my people again. They're just back from Switzerland. It isn't your home--yet.”
This decided her. She told him, first enjoining him to silence. To her relief, also to her surprise, he took it very calmly. His face went a shade whiter beneath his sun-tanned skin; he stood a trifle more erect than before; and that was all.
”I congratulate you,” he said. ”But I congratulate him a jolly sight more. Who is he?”
Mavis hesitated.
”You can tell me. It won't go any further.”
”Charlie Perigal.”
”Charlie Perigal?” he asked in some surprise.
”Why not?” she asked, with a note of defiance in her voice.
”But he's upside down with his father, and has been for a long time.”
”What of that?”
”What are you going to live on?”
”Charlie is going to work.”
”Charlie work!” The words slipped out before he could stop them. ”Of course, I'd forgotten that,” he added.
”You're like a lot of other people, who can't say a good word for him, because they're jealous of him,” she cried.
He did not reply for a moment; when he did, it was to say very gravely:
”Naturally I am very, very jealous; it would be strange if it were otherwise. I wish you every happiness from the bottom of my heart.”
”Thank you,” replied Mavis, mollified.