‘Not important,’ this with a little more energy, ’why it is of vital importance; on it hangs the whole fate of my existence, Miss Seaton,’ bending towards her, ’er—­er Philippa, do you not know, have you not guessed that I love you, that to see you is necessary to my happiness, the first time I saw you—­hear me,’ as she makes as if to speak, ’you must know it, do you not see it in my eyes?’ he is growing melodramatic and Lippa feels inclined to laugh, ’but one word, you love me, do you not, ah!’ and he is about to seize her hand when she steps back from him saying,—­

‘I am afraid, Captain Harkness, you have made a mistake.’

‘Mistake,’ he replies, ‘do you mean that you will not marry me.’

‘Yes, I mean that I will not marry you.’

‘Not marry me,’ it is getting monotonous this repeating of her words, and she makes a movement of impatience, then all of a sudden his expression changes, ‘I am afraid I put the question too soon,’ he says, coming a little closer and taking hold of her hand, ’but do you love another?’

‘Leave go,’ she exclaims, ‘I think you forget, what—­’

‘Who is it,’ he goes on, not heeding her, ‘is it Helmdon or Dalrymple?’ he is so close that she can feel his breath on her cheek, ’ah, I can see by your eyes it is Dalrymple?’

This is too much, and with a sudden movement she raises her other hand and gives him a good box on the ear.  He is so taken aback that he drops Lippa’s hand, and she, thoroughly frightened, rushes down the path into the unlighted part of the garden, and falls headlong into the arms of Jimmy; who, consumed with despair, has sought refuge in solitude.

‘I—­er I beg your pardon,’ says Philippa, starting back, ‘I—­I—­’ but sobs check her words.

‘What is the matter?’ asks he tenderly, his despair having vanished; the gentle tone of his voice makes her cry the more and so he does the thing that comes most naturally to him, without thinking of the consequences, for he puts his arm round her, and kisses her madly; and Lippa without resisting, leans her perturbed little head against his shoulder feeling unutterably happy.

‘Why have you been running away from me all the evening?’ he asks, when a perfect understanding has been made between them.

‘I didn’t,’ she says indignantly, ‘it was you who never came near me.’

A kiss is the answer to this, and then tenderly, ’But what were you crying about just now?’

‘I was frightened rather—­’

‘What at, darling?’ asks Jimmy, gazing down at the blushing face, which is being rubbed up and down against his coat sleeve.

‘At—­at what I’d done,’ stammers Lippa.

‘Something very dreadful, no doubt,’ says he with a look that belies his words.

‘Yes, you’re quite right,’ Miss Seaton answers, ’it was dreadful.  I can’t think how I did it, shall I have to beg his pardon?’

‘His! whose?’ asks Jimmy quickly.