I must wait for Uncle Richard; I must really." But her arm tightened round his involuntarily.
Tinker thought a while.

The gardens were brighter now.

The stars were shining with their full radiance, and the lamps were alight, so that even their retired corner was faintly bright.
"Well, you go on walking up and down.

You won't feel so lonely as sitting still, and I'll be back as soon as I can;" he said, and off he went.
He found his father and Lord Crosland beginning their soup, and, sitting down, he told them of Elsie's plight.

They were duly sympathetic; and his father at once gave him leave to take some dinner to her, and dine with her.