Her Faithful Knight — page 297: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Exhumation. | 293 have never had the smallest intention of asking Mrs. Ran- some to marry me. And I must ask you, Rosa, not to discuss such a possibility with Mrs. Ransome. It is equally offensive to me and to her.” “You're wrong there,” protested the incorrigible Rosa. “She didn’t mind it a bit.” Immediately after the one o’clock lunch, which was served as Aylmer’s breakfast, he left the house, and did not return until half-past six. Before departing he con- trived to take Dorothy aside into the dining-room and beg her to wait for his return in his study, as he would be certain to bring her news of serious import. “We must tell my aunt and cousin that I am trustee for your property, and seeing to business on the subject,” he suggested. “Yes,” she answered quickly, “otherwise they will think She checked herself, blushing crimson, and feeling in- tensely uncomfortable. “They will think I am in love with you,” he said quietly. ‘Well, perhaps that is the most reasonable inference to put upon our conferences—that I am trying to wean your mind from thoughts of the late Mr. Philip Ransome. Rosa, having got that idea into her head, is ‘Rot likely to let it go. Meantime, good-by!” “You had better call me Dorothy, as Rosa does,” she said, following him to the door; “I keep forgetting to answer ‘Mrs. Ransome.’ And every little bit of deception we can do without is a gain; I do so hate it!” “As you wish,” he returned in studiously matter-of- fact tones, and took his leave. Each was acting a part; but since the wedding-ring in- cident had reached Aylmer’s ears he had at least the sat- isfaction of knowing that Dorothy’s coldness..a3.4s- S (Eo) Im