Well now, look here. We'll put that
beastly thing away to-night--perhaps I shall be in a better temper
in a few days.'
There was a note in his voice he seemed unable to keep out of it.
Elizabeth looking up caught the fire light on the sketch of Desmond.
Had the Squire's eyes been on it too? Impossible to say--for he had
already turned away.
'Oh, yes,--put it away!' she said hurriedly.
'And I'll go over the woods with you on--Friday,' said the Squire
after a pause. 'Oh, I don't deny that the money is tempting. I'm not
such a pauper as I once was, thanks to you. I seem to have some
money in the bank--astonishing situation! And--there's a jolly good
sale at Christie's coming on.'
He looked at her half-shamefaced, half-ready to resent it if she
laughed at him.
Her eyes laughed.
'I thought you'd forgotten that. I saw you mark the catalogue.'
'Beech and oak between two and three hundred years old--in exchange
for Greek gems, between two and three thousand. Well--I'll consider
it. Now then, are you feeling better?'
And to her amazement he approached her with an outstretched hand.
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