Diana thought the car seemed to be travelling rather slowly as it began
the steep ascent from the harbour to the Rectory. Possibly the chauffeur
who had taken his master's instructions might have thrown some light on
the subject had he so chosen.
"Quite warm now?" queried Errington.
Diana snuggled luxuriously into her corner.
"Quite, thanks," she replied. "You're rapidly qualifying as a good
Samaritan _par excellence_, thanks to the constant opportunities I afford
you."
He laughed shortly and relapsed into silence, leaning his elbow on the
cushioned ledge beside him and shading his face with his hand. Beneath
its shelter, the keen blue eyes stared at the girl opposite with an odd,
thwarted expression in their depths.
Presently Diana spoke again, a tinge of irony in her tones.
"And--after this--when next we meet . . . are you going to cut me again?
. . . It must have been very tiresome for you, that an unkind fate
insisted on your making my closer acquaintance."
He dropped his hand suddenly.
"Oh, forgive me!" he exclaimed, with a quick gesture of deprecation.
"It--it was unpardonable of me . . ." His voice vibrated with some
strong emotion, and Diana regarded him curiously.
"Then you meant it?" she said slowly. "It was deliberate?"
He bent his head affirmatively.
"Yes," he replied. "I suppose you think it unforgivable. And yet--and
yet it would have been better so.
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