talk becoming more and more disjointed. Sensing the change in her Dane walked deliberately ahead of her, and quickly, fighting the temptation to stop and throw his arms about her. They recovered their equilibrium but not their spontaneity on the flat above. She had not expected him to go on with her, but he put out the lantern, leaving it by a bush, and started off with her. He lit his pipe and they went on some distance in silence. Then under the stars she lost her queer feeling of disruption and regained her poise. As far as she could feel he was oblivious of her as he swung along beside her.
After a while he asked her abruptly how she liked Roger Benton, and talking of him and his chances in the election they came to the borders of Dargaville.
“It was awfully good of you to give me your company,” he said lightly, with no air of lingering, as he held out his hand.
“Yes, it’s been a masterpiece of self-sacrifice.”
She saw the smile that lit his eyes, and then he gave her a little salute and turned away. She walked on wondering if he had wanted to kiss her in the ravine, if the thought of kissing her had yet entered his mind. And then she told herself she must not think these things. She positively must not get fond of him. Feeling the way she did about a career and about living she had no business to encourage him. Then she thought she was absurd. He had given no sign that he had the remotest intention of looking upon her as anything but a passing acquaintance.
She passed Bolton and Allison gossiping by the former’s gate and knew they looked curiously after her. She was glad to find the side door of the hotel still open, but as she slipped in quietly Mac came from the corridor with a candle to see if it were shut.
