Do you think there is anything in the world I can't do, if you wish it ?" As he rose she laid her hand on his arm: "I--I don't ask it--" she began.
"You do not have to ask it," he said with a smile almost genuine.
"Austin, I'm going to get Gerald--and Nina will explain to you that he's to be left to me if any sermon is required.

I'll go back with him in the motor-boat.

Boots, you'll drive home in my place." As he turned, still smiling and self-possessed, Eileen whispered rapidly: "Don't go.

I care for you too much to ask it." He said under his breath: "Dearest, you cannot understand." "Yes--I do! Don't go.

Philip--don't go near--her--" "I must." "If you do--if you go--h-how can you c-care for me as you say you do ?--when I ask you not to--when I cannot endure--to--" She turned swiftly and stared across at Alixe; and Alixe, unsteady in the flushed brilliancy of her youthful beauty, half rose in her seat and stared back.
Instinctively the young girl's hand tightened on Selwyn's arm: "She--she is beautiful!" she faltered; but he turned and led her from the table, following Austin, his sister, and Lansing; and she clung to him almost convulsively when he halted on the edge of the lawn.
"I must go back," he whispered--"dearest--dearest--I must." "T-to Gerald?
Or--_her_ ?" But he only muttered: "They don't know what they're doing.