"We were only boy and girl then," she said. "One forgets such nonsense as one grows older. Still, I am almost glad you mentioned it, because--can't you see the uselessness of remembering?"
Dane, though he did not say so, saw most clearly the impossibility of ever being able to forget; but he was considerate, and had sense enough to see what he would lose by taking advantage of the position. He had noticed how, until his conduct reassured her, she held aloof from him.
"What could an unfortunate man answer?" he asked with a mirthless smile. "Do you expect me to admit that I am pleased to consider it is so?"
Lilian looked down at the grass to hide the anger in her face.
"Please don't--I am not wholly foolish," she said; and added abruptly, "I have almost decided on going to London for a course of art study shortly."
Dane leaned forward a little, and forced her to look up at him.
"That is, you are going away to avoid me," he said. "Have you considered that this might not only render circumstances unpleasant for you, but be unnecessary?"
Lilian looked at him steadily, for she was not lacking in courage.
"I am my own mistress; and they are distinctly unpleasant already."
Every word of the answer cost Dane an effort, but he determined to finish his task.
"I can realize that they must be so," he said. "I am not clever at expressing myself, and what I have to say is difficult to me, but I cannot allow you to be driven away. We are both master of our own inclinations, are we not?--and you have my word that, if you can trust me, it really isn't necessary."
There was no doubt about the relief in Lilian's face; and though it hurt the man to see it, he held out his hand.
"We shall be good friends once more; and that implies a good deal, does it not?" he said. "Promise so much, and I will engage that you have no further perplexity."
"I think I can promise that, now that we understand," she replied.
"Then it is a compact," said Dane, hiding his own regret manfully. "As a change, you might tell me why your uncle finds such satisfaction in destroying his neighbor's fences. He even said it was a pity I did not tear my hand more seriously."
"He fancied that Maxwell of Culmeny closed the gap to annoy him," she explained. "Unfortunately, when tearing down the first barrier, he hurt his foot, which naturally made him more determined to maintain ancient privileges. In one way, the feud is amusing; in another, vexatious; because we are lonely here, and the Misses Maxwell cannot well call upon us. Their brother Carsluith has lately returned from Africa, and would have made you a pleasant companion."