"It would be better not. You have them safe here. And--"
Marjorie flushed. She felt that her ruse had been too plain.
"I would sooner you took them," she said. "You can read them at your
leisure."
So he accepted, and slipped them into his breast with what seemed to the
girl a lamentable carelessness. Then he stood up.
"I must go," he said. "And I have never asked after Mistress Manners."
"She is abed," said the girl. "She has been there this past month now."
She went with him to the door, for it was not until then that she was
courageous enough to speak as she had determined.
"Mr. Babington," she said suddenly.
He turned.
"I have been thinking while we talked," she said. "You think my coming
to London would be of real service?"
"I think so. It would be good for you to meet these priests before
they--"
"Then I will come, if my mother gives me leave. When will you go?"
"We should be riding in not less than a week from now. But, mistress--"
"No, I have thought of it. I will come--if my mother gives me leave."
He nodded briskly and brightly. He loved courage, and he understood that
this decision of hers had required courage.
"Then my sister shall come for you, and--"
"No, Mr. Babington, there is no need. We shall start from Derby?"
"Why, yes."
"Then my maid and I will ride down there and sleep at the inn, and be
ready for you on the day that you appoint."
* * * * *
When he was gone at last she went back again to the parlour, and sat
without moving and without seeing.
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