Accordingly, and because there was no hand held out in this case, he
contented himself with a little bend of his head. Then he was
presented to the Colonel, who was distantly cordial, and Winston was
thankful when the maid appeared in the doorway again, to announce that
dinner was ready, Miss Barrington laid her hand upon his arm.
"You will put up with an old woman's company tonight?" she said.
Winston glanced down deprecatingly at his attire. "I must explain that
I had no intention of trespassing on your hospitality," he said. "I
purposed going on to my own homestead, and only called to acquaint
Colonel Barrington with my arrival."
Miss Barrington laughed pleasantly. "That," she said, "was neither
dutiful nor friendly. I should have fancied you would also have
desired to pay your respects to my niece and me."
Winston was not quite sure what he answered, but he drew in a deep
breath, for he had made the plunge and felt that the worst was over.
His companion evidently noticed the gasp of relief.
"It was something of an ordeal?" she said.
Winston looked down upon her gravely, and Miss Barrington noticed a
steadiness in his eyes she had not expected to see. "It was, and I
feel guilty because I was horribly afraid," he said. "Now I only
wonder if you will always be equally kind to me."
Miss Barrington smiled a little, but the man fancied there was a just
perceptible tightening of the hand upon his arm. "I would like to be,
for your mother's sake," she said.
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