Part 85 (1/2)
”Better dine with me.”
She took off her big motor veil, and looked at him.
”Did Mr. Crayford say I was to dine with you?”
”No. But he evidently thought it would be a suitable arrangement.”
”But what will people think?”
”What they always do, I suppose.”
”Yes, but what's that?”
”I've wondered for years!”
He held out his big hand. Charmian yielded and got out of the car.
At ten o'clock Crayford had not reappeared, and she insisted on returning home.
”I can't stay out all night even for an impresario,” she said.
Alston agreed, and they went out to the front door to get a carriage.
”Of course I'll see you home, Mrs. Charmian.”
”Yes, you may.”
As they drove off she exclaimed:
”That man really is a terror, Alston, or should I say a holy terror? Do you know, I feel almost guilty in daring to venture back to my own house.”
”Maybe we'll meet him on the way up.”
”If we do be sure you stop the carriage.”
”But if he doesn't stop his?”
”Then I'll stop it. Keep a sharp look-out. I'm tired, but oh! I do feel so excited. You look out all the time on your side, and I'll do the same on mine.”
”Well, but we meet everything on the--”
”Never mind! Oh, don't be practical at such a moment! He might pa.s.s us on any side.”
Alston laughed and obeyed her mandate.
They were a long way up the hill, and were near to the church of the Holy Trinity when Charmian cried out:
”There's a carriage coming. I believe he's in it.”
”Why?”