She had barely time to banish it when she heard Cardiff's step beside her, and his voice.
"I had to come after you," he said; "I've let you carry off my stick." She looked at him in mischievous challenge of his subterfuge, and he added frankly, with a voice that shook a little notwithstanding-- "It's of no use--I find I must accept your compromise.
It is very good of you to be willing to make one.

And I can't let you go altogether, Elfrida." She gave him a happy smile.

"And now," she said, "shall we talk of something else ?".