Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/207

 I thought it possible for any woman to be. You are just wonderful."

He smiled right into her eyes, and she looked down quickly.

"I've finished now," he said lightly. "I'm not often"

"Please don't." The words came from her lips almost in a sob.

"I'm sorry." He leaned across the table, and for a moment laid his hand on hers. "What is the matter?"

"Oh, I'm just silly, that's all," she cried, jumping up. "Why, there's the kitten back," and she pointed with her parasol to where the black cat was once more engaged in the everlasting self-deception that she was a great hunter of birds.

"Now let's go," she cried gaily, moving towards the gate.

They drove back to Folkestone in silence, both conscious of disappointment, Beresford with himself for having even momentarily forsaken his entrenched position of reserve; Lola with something that she was unable to define.

"And I'm not to receive an answer to my question?" he enquired quizzically as he handed her out of the car at the entrance of the Imperial.

"I'll tell you after dinner," she smiled, "whilst we are walking on the Leas. There will be a glorious moon to-night," she added as, with a nod, she left him with the conviction that the afternoon