"Well, darling," he said, "just as you like, but perhaps not--at any rate until I know what I have to do.

I'll think that over.

Only, we shan't change, shall we, whatever happens?
You _do_ love me, don't you?
And I do love you." Hilda met his gaze frankly and blushed a little.

She held out a hand to be helped up.

"My dear boy," she said.
After luncheon Peter smoked a cigar in the study with Mr.Lessing before departure.