"My pretty dress was made to be spoiled," she said, "Give it to me,
please, and get your tea."
"Do you mean it?" he asked, with a surprise which made her flush with
resentment, and something like shame.
For reply, she bent forward, took the dog from him, and tried to settle
it on her lap; but the mite looked piteously at Stafford and whined,
its big eyes imploring him to let it come back.
But Stafford stroked it and bade it sit still, and presently it curled
itself up.
"It has gone to sleep," said Maude. "It has soon forgotten its
trouble."
"It's a way dogs have," said Stafford. "May I smoke? George! what a
lovely afternoon!"
She glanced at him as he leant back in his chair, his long legs
stretched out and crossed before him.
"You look happy," she said, with a faint smile.
"Oh, I am," he said, with a sudden flush and a start; for now the dog
was off his mind, it had instantly swung back to Ida.
"It's the reward of a generous action," she said, and again, the
mocking note was absent from her voice.
Stafford laughed.
"That's putting it rather high," he said.
They sat on in silence: Stafford thinking of Ida, Maude looking down at
the sleeping dog, and thinking that only a few minutes ago it had been
lying in the bosom of the man who sat beside her: the man whom she had
backed herself to fool; but for whom a strange sensation of
admiration--and was it a subtle fear?--was stirring within her.
"By George! we must be going!" he said, suddenly.
When they got to the boat he proposed to roll the terrier in his coat,
but Maude shook her head.
"I'll nurse it going home," she said.
"You will? That's very good of you!" he said, quite gratefully.
"He's a lucky little beggar!" he remarked, after awhile, as he looked
at the black little morsel curled up on the pretty dress. "Supposing he
isn't claimed, would you care to have him, Miss Falconer?"
She looked down at the dog.
"Thank you," she said. "But what shall I give you in return. It's
unlucky to give an animal without some consideration."
"Oh, give me another song," he replied. "There is nobody about."
She opened her lips, then checked herself.
"No, I can't sing again," she said, in a low voice.