Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/173

. At first he had been at a loss to account for his amazing popularity; but the requests for an introduction to Lola soon convinced him that it was not for himself alone that his company was sought.

On the second day Beresford had seen Lola only for a few minutes as she was passing through the lounge. She had stopped to enquire how he was, and he noticed a marked difference in her manner. It set him wondering if he had seriously offended her, and if so what he had done.

On the third day he did not see her either at breakfast or lunch, and she was late for dinner. He was conscious of becoming irritable under the strain. He had deliberately snubbed two or three men, whose overtures were both obvious and annoying. He lingered over his dinner, determined to follow her as she left the room. Gradually the dining-room emptied. Lola rose and, instead of walking towards the door, came over to his table.

"There's no need to ask if you are better," she said with a friendly smile, as he rose hurriedly.

"I'm not; I'm very much worse."

"Worse?" She raised her eyebrows in interrogation.

"My nurse has neglected me," he said whimsically, "and I have been grossly rude to three fellow-guests in consequence."

"Neglected you?" she repeated, "but" she paused.

"I don't want to be a nuisance and take advantage of your kindness," he said seriously, as they walked