"You are teasing, Mr. Carr!" she cried, and ran into the house.
That evening Miss Betty confirmed Jack's words, and seeing the hurt lookin the girl's eyes, wisely held her peace.
Next morning in the pleasaunce Diana came across my lord, and went up tohim, gravely questioning.
"You are really leaving us to-day, Mr. Carr?"
"I am afraid I must, Mistress Di."
"So suddenly? Then you were not teasing yesterday?"
"No, mademoiselle--I was not. I fear I have tarried too long, takingadvantage of your kindness."
"Oh, no, no!" she assured him. "Indeed, you have not! Must you _really_go?"
Looking down into her big eyes, John read the answering love in them,and grew pale. It was worse to think that she cared, too. If only hethought she was indifferent, parting would not seem so unbearable.
"Mademoiselle--you overwhelm me--I must go."
"Oh, but I am sorry. Your being here has been such a pleasure! I--" Shestopped, and looked away across the flowers.
"You?" prompted Jack before he could check himself.
With a tiny laugh she brought her gaze back.
"I am sorry you must leave us, naturally."
She sat down beneath an arbour of roses, and patted the place beside herinvitingly, with just the same unconscious friendliness that she hadalways shown him. My lord stayed where he was, with one hand on a treetrunk and the other fidgeting with his quizzing glass.
"Mistress Di--I think it only right that I should tell you what I havetold your father, and what I told your aunt some time ago, when sherefused to believe me. To some extent I am here under false pretences. Iam not what you think me."
Diana laced and unlaced her fingers, and thought that she understood.
"Oh, no, Mr. Carr!"
"I am afraid yes, mademoiselle. I am--a common felon ... a highwayman!"He bit the words out, not looking at her.
"But I knew that," she said softly.
"You _knew_ it?"
"Why, yes! I remember when you told Aunt Betty."
"You believed me?"
"You see," she apologised, "I always wondered why you were masked."
"And yet you permitted me to stay--"
"How silly of you, Mr. Carr! Of course I do not care what you are! I oweso much to you!"
He wheeled round at that, and faced her.
"Madam, I can bear anything rather than gratitude! Is it only that whichhas made you tolerate me all this time?"
Her fingers gripped one another.
"Why, sir--why, sir--"