Page:Coo-ee - tales of Australian life by Australian ladies.djvu/55

Rh shutters, the hinges as I did so giving a squeak that made me turn cold all over, put the note down on a table, and stole out.

Just as I was coming out of the window, I found myself face to face with a figure, whose approach had been so noiseless and so unexpected that for the moment it regularly dumbfounded me. In an instant I recovered myself, and saw it was Mrs. Drummond. She did not recognise me, for I was in the shadow.

'Who is it?' she almost whispered, for she was evidently frightened, as the tremble in her voice betrayed, in spite of her struggle to command it. Then, as I stepped on to the verandah, she exclaimed, in the utmost surprise,—

'Mr. Verner! But what is it? Is anything wrong at Grettan?'

'I really must beg your pardon. I am not robbing the house, only bringing you a note from Mrs. Creek. We have a picnic to-morrow, and want you to join us.'

'And you have come all this way at night simply to ask me? You are good!'

'Not at all; only I hope you will come.'

'I could hardly refuse after this, even if I had wished. Where do we meet?'

'At the Downfall, about noon. Now, I had better say good-night. I'm awfully ashamed of myself for disturbing you at this hour.'

'I—I can't ask you to stay,' she said in a hesitating way. 'Mr. Drummond is not at home.'

'Many thanks,' I answered, feeling confused, I