She leaned her head against him with a bewildered sense of self-reproach. "I'm sorry I'm silly, Eustace," she murmured "I expect I'm made that way too. Don't--don't take any notice!"
He touched her forehead lightly with his lips. "You'll get over it, sweetheart," he said. "It won't matter so much after we're married. I can do as I like with you then."
"Oh, I shan't like that," said Dinah quickly.
His arm pressed her closer. "Yes, you will. I'll give you no end of a good time. Now, sweetheart, give me that little hand of yours again! No, the left! There! I wonder if it's small enough. Rather a loose fit, eh? How do you like it?"
He was fitting a ring on to the third finger. Dinah looked and was dazzled. "Oh, Eustace,--diamonds!" she said, in an awed whisper.
"The best I could find," he told her, with princely arrogance. "I hunted through Bond Street for it this morning. Will it do?"
"You went up on purpose? Oh, Eustace!" she laid her cheek with a winning movement against his hand. "You are too good! You are much too good!"
He laughed carelessly. "I'm glad you're satisfied. It's a bond, remember. You must wear it always--till I give you a wedding-ring instead."
She lifted her face and looked at him with shining eyes. "I shall love to wear it," she said. "But I expect I shall have to keep it for best. Mother wouldn't let me wear it always."
"Never mind what your mother says!" he returned. "It's what I say that matters now. We're going to have you to stay at Willowmount in a few days. Isabel is arranging it with your mother now."
"Your home! Oh, how lovely!" Genuine delight was in Dinah's voice. "Scott is there, isn't he?"
He frowned again. "Bother Scott! You're coming to see me--no one else."
She flushed. "Oh yes, I know. And I shall love it--I shall love it! But--do you think I shall be allowed to come?"
"You must come," he said imperiously.
But Dinah looked dubious. "I expect I shall be wanted at home now. And I don't believe we shall get married in April either. I've been away so long."
He laughed, flicking her cheek. "Haven't I always told you that where there's a will there's a way? If necessary, I can run away with you."