Young though she was, I could see in her very clearly
either a valuable friend or a dangerous enemy--and what an easy girl to
fall in love with, had circumstances been very different!
Jack explained in a very natural off-hand manner how he came to be in Mr.
Hobhouse's company, and Mr. Hobhouse corroborated his statement in his
own effusive way. And then as we parted, she threw her smile full on that
gentleman, and asked,
"Why haven't you been to see us again, Mr. Hobhouse? Do come to
tea one day!"
Mr. Hobhouse gabbled a polite but slightly, evasive reply, and we
walked on.
"Do you mean to say," demanded my cousin, "that you have only been to see
this delectable lady once?"
"That's all," I admitted.
"What's the reason? It isn't very like our methods, Roger."
"It isn't," I admitted again. "But then you see what with pestilential
weather and all these antiquarian visits to pay, my available time has
been pretty well occupied."
"But that house is one to keep a particular eye on."
"That house has got a pair of particularly bright eyes in it. On my one
visit there I felt a little too like walking on the edge of a precipice
to wish to repeat the experience often. If that girl suspects me, Jack,
and _if_ she isn't the right sort, we are dished."
"Oh, dash it. I can't believe she's mixed up in this business!" he
declared.
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