Part 42 (2/2)

”Are you doing this for me?” she asked in a trembling voice, dreading his answer.

”No.”

”Then why----”

”Partly Elfrida, partly these,” and he moved his arm to indicate his ancestors in their frames. ”_n.o.blesse oblige_, you know.”

”But--California.” Her voice was a husky whisper.

”California, Betty. I----” he paused a moment and smiled as if at some unspoken thought. ”I am interested in fruit-farming.”

But here Lady Betty's self-control gave way. She knew that he meant what he said, and that if he left England she would probably never see him again. She began, incoherently:

”Oh, John, I can't let you leave me. Do you understand, I can't----”

A deafening clangour arose close at hand and drowned her words. When it had ceased Calamity did not wait for her to continue.

”The dinner-gong,” he said. ”Shall we go?”

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