grandmother who won't have anything to say to me, the Lord knows why?"
He spoke interrogatively, and she flamed a deprecating crimson.
"I can't very well force my way into the house against her wishes, can I?" he went on.
"No; but, dearest Jack, you needn't be angry with me, and we can wait a little, and I know everything will come right. If only you will go on loving me? You do love me still?" she asked again. "I shall die if you don't!"
He smiled down upon her, twisting his moustache-end; a softer look came into his eyes.
"So the poor little girlie can't live without me?" he said, and gently squeezed her arm. Her heart welled up with adoration and gratitude.
A stranger coming down the polished wooden staircase cast a sympathetic glance at this little Island love idyll.
But Owen looked at his watch.
"Oh, confound it! Half-past twelve, already, and I ought to be up at Rohais by now. I've an appointment there. I don't like to leave you, but———"
"Is it very important?" she asked wistfully.
"It's a new patient."
"Oh, then in that case, of course you must go," she said, with ready abnegation of her pleasure where it clashed with his interests. "But when shall I see you again? Ah, do let me see you."
"Oh, . . . well, . . . all right! I'll stroll up to-morrow in the course of the afternoon, to Berceau Bay, . . . but if I'm, prevented, you'll be down again to market, next Saturday, I suppose, eh?"
And
