"Wasn't he disappointed?" she asked presently.
"Horribly," said Baring. "He turned quite green when he heard. I don't
think I had better tell you what he said."
He was watching her quietly across the table, and she knew it. After a
moment she raised her eyes.
"Yes; tell me what he said, Major Baring!" she said.
"Not yet," said Baring. "I am waiting to hear you tell me that you are
even more bitterly disappointed than he was."
"I don't see how I can tell you that," said Hope, turning her attention
to the coffee-urn.
"No? Why not?"
"Because it wouldn't be very friendly," she answered gravely.
"Do you know, I almost dared to fancy it was because it wouldn't be
true?" said Baring.
She glanced up at that, and their eyes met. Though he was smiling a
little, there was no mistaking the message his held for her. She
coloured again very deeply, and bent her head to hide it.
He did not keep her waiting. Very quietly, very resolutely, he leaned
towards her across the table, and spoke.
"I will tell you now what your brother said to me, Hope," he said, his
voice half-quizzical, half-tender. "He's an impertinent young rascal,
but I bore with him for your sake, dear.
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