Belligerency danced into her eyes in an instant.
“What the dickens does it matter whether there is anybody about or not? I’m going to settle this with you now. Are you afraid to be seen with me or do you think I’m afraid to be seen with you, which?”
He was astonished at this brutal frankness. “Good Lord! do you go at everything like that?” He looked helplessly at her.
“Well?” she demanded.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Is it your reputation you’re worried about? Do you think I don’t know it, and everything that has been whispered and rumoured and concocted about you by people who sin by wallowing in the supposed sins of others? Why, I’m far more of an authority on your reputation than you are. And that’s what I care for it!” She snapped her fingers. “Or is it that you’ve heard I’m engaged to Bob Lorrimer? Well, I’m not, and I never will be. So much for that. Now what is it?”
Then her eyes fell before his, which were burning with a curious intensity. But he got lightly to his feet and held out a hand to her.
“Come on then,” he said softly.
“I believe you understand me,” she said lightly, as she stood beside him.
“You flatter me, Miss Freedom. I don’t even understand myself with whom I have lived these thirty odd years.” He picked up her cloak and the Bulletin and his stick.
II
They scrambled down the cliffs and went along the beach delighted with the lovely evening growing stiller as the wind went down, growing grayer as the burning fan
