Part 45 (2/2)

”Wondering whether it would be good for me to have my heart's desire?”

jested Bunny softly. ”Think it would be too much for me; what, darling?”

”No,--no!” said Toby. ”Not that! Only wondering if you are wanting the right thing--wondering if the thing you call your heart's desire will bring you happiness. It--it doesn't always, you know, Bunny. Life is like that.”

Her voice sank a little.

”What do you know about life?” he said.

She shook her head, her face downcast. ”Oh, too much--too much!” she said.

Bunny sat motionless for a moment or two, but his hold was strong and comforting. At length very gently he began to draw her nearer.

He almost expected her to resist him, but she did not. As he drew her, she yielded, till with a sob she suffered herself to be drawn close into his arms. He had her on the thwart beside him, her face hidden against his shoulder. He laid his cheek down upon her hair and sat silent.

Toby was sobbing a little, and he patted her shoulder soothingly, but he did not speak until with a quivering sigh she relaxed against him and was still.

Then, in a whisper, ”Toby mavourneen,” he said, ”I'm going to tell you something that's come to me lately--something I've guessed. You needn't answer me. I don't want you to answer me--only to know that I know.

There's another fellow in your heart, and he's got a bigger place than I have--at present. No, don't tremble, darling! It's all right. I know--I know. He's the sort that women simply can't keep out. He's a fine chap too, and I'm fond of him--always have been. But look here, mavourneen, you're not going to break your precious little heart over him; you know quite well it's no use, don't you? You know--well, anyhow to a certain extent--you know what he is, don't you?”

He paused for an answer, but Toby quivered in his arms and was silent.

He put up a hand and pressed her head closer to his breast. ”He'll never marry,” he said. ”He doesn't mean to. He almost told me so the other day.

But--Toby--he takes a friendly interest in you and me. He'd like us to have each other. Don't you think”--his voice had a hint of humour--”don't you think we might fix it up just to please him?

P'raps--someday--we may find that we're pleased ourselves as well.”

”Oh, my dear!” Toby whispered.

Her arm crept round his neck, but she did not lift her head. He clasped her more closely and went on very softly. ”I love you enough to think of your happiness first, my darling. You're not happy now. I know that all right. But you will be--I swear you shall be--if you will marry me. You like me just a bit, don't you? And you wouldn't be afraid to trust yourself to me?”

”No,” murmured Toby, with an effort. ”I wouldn't be--afraid.”

”Then you'll give me my chance?” he urged gently. ”You'll put your dear little hand into mine and trust me? Will you darling? Will you?”

But Toby was silent.

”Won't you?” he said in a whisper.

Her arm tightened about his neck. She was breathing quickly, nervously.

From across the water came the sounds of laughter and cheering, the softened strains of the band that played on the deck of _The Blue Moon_.

Close at hand was only the low wash of the waves as they lapped against the cliff. They floated quite alone over the dark depths, rising and falling with the slow heave of the tide, but making no headway.

”Won't you?” Bunny said again, after a long silence.

<script>