Again a slight shiver caught Dinah, but she repressed it instantly.  “I expect it won’t take me very long to learn that, Apollo,” she said, with her shy, fleeting smile.

And then they glided up to the wide steps of his home and the door opened to receive them, showing Scott—­Scott her friend—­standing in the opening, awaiting her.

CHAPTER V

THE WATCHER

She sprang to meet him with a cry of delight, both hands extended.

“Oh, it is good to see you again!  It is good!  It is good!” she panted.  “Why didn’t you come to Perrythorpe?  I did want you there!”

He grasped her hands very tightly.  His pale eyes smiled their welcome, but—­it came to her afterwards—­he scarcely said a word in greeting.  In a second or two he set her free.

“Come and see Isabel!” he said.

She went with him eagerly, forgetful of Sir Eustace striding in her wake.  As Scott opened the door of Isabel’s room, she pressed forward, and the next moment she was kneeling by Isabel’s side, gathered close, close to her breast in a silence that was deeper than any speech.

Dinah’s arms clung fast about the elder woman’s neck.  She was conscious of a curious impulse to tears, but she conquered it, forcing herself somewhat brokenly to laugh.

“Isn’t it lovely to be together again?” she whispered.  “You can’t think what it means to me.  I lay in bed last night and counted the hours and then the minutes.  I was so dreadfully afraid something might happen to prevent my coming.  And, oh, Isabel, I had no idea your home was so beautiful.”

Isabel’s hold slackened.  “Sit on the sofa beside me, my darling!” she said.  “I am so glad you like Willowmount.  Was Eustace in time for your train?”

Dinah laughed again with more assurance.  “Oh no!  I got there first.  He came swooping down as if he had dropped from the clouds.  We had a very quick run back, and I’m blown all to pieces.”  She put up impetuous hands to thrust back the disordered clusters of dark hair.

“Take off your hat!” said Scott.

She obeyed, with shining eyes upon him.  “Now, why didn’t you come over to Perrythorpe?  You haven’t told me yet.”

“I was busy,” he answered.  “I had to get home.”

His eyes were shining also.  She did not need to be told that he was glad to see her.  He rang for tea and sat down somewhere near in his usual unobtrusive fashion.  Eustace occupied the place of honour in an easy-chair drawn close to the end of the sofa on which Dinah sat.  He was watching her, she knew but she could not meet his look as she met Scott’s.  His very nearness made her feel again the scorching of the flame.

She slipped her hand into Isabel’s as though seeking refuge and as she did so she heard Eustace address his brother, his tone brief and peremptory,—­the voice of the employer.