Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/190

 "You are much too clever to take things so seriously," said Milly. "You are not the least bit of a prig in anything else, and that's why you made me so angry. Be sensible and follow your luck. Jack should know far better than you. Besides, if you didn't mean to keep your word, why did you give it?"

This was a facer, as the candid Milly intended it to be.

"Because I was a fool." At the moment that seemed the only possible answer.

II

The argument had not gone farther when a rather strident "coo-ee" ascending from the pavement below found its way through the open window.

"Diana, you are wanted." The impulsive Milly ran on to the little balcony to wave a hand of welcome to a young man in the street.

It was the intention, however, of the young man in the street, as soon as he could find someone to look after his horses, to come up and have a talk with Mary. To the quick-witted person to whom he made known that resolve, he seemed much graver than usual. It hardly required any special clairvoyance on the part of Milly to realize that something was in the wind.

Three minutes later, Jack had found his way up and Milly had effaced herself discreetly. This morning that warrior was not quite the serenely humorous self whom his friends found so engaging. Recent events had annoyed him, disquieted him, upset him generally, and the previous afternoon they had culminated in a long and unsatisfactory interview at Bridport House.