Page:Elizabeth's Pretenders.djvu/247

234, Miss Shaw. But I shall try and hide my wonnd, and return to my work."

They walked on, their feet rustling among the fallen leaves, for some time longer. Elizabeth felt that the worst was over, and she did not mind hearing him to an end, this perfectly straightforward gentleman, who certainly did not "protest too much." In the light of a lover he was intolerable; in the light of a man of the world, who, if he became a friend, would be a sincere one, she felt drawn to him. It was the last half-hour they were alone together before he left for England.

Late that night Hatty said to her brother, "Both the Englishmen are gone. See how unjust you were?"

"It matters nothing to me whether they go or stay."

"Then why insinuate suoh disagreeable things about my friend?"

He was silent.