Conrad will do me the honour to accept my hospitality for a few
days. . . ."
It was what I wanted above everything on earth, and yet I said:
"No, no! It wouldn't be fair. Martin will be too busy at the last
moment."
But Martin himself jumped in eagerly with:
"Certainly! Delighted! Greatest pleasure in the world."
And then, while Alma gave my husband a look of arch triumph to which he
replied with a painful smile, Martin leaned over to me and whispered"
"Hush! I want to! I must!" though what he meant by that I never knew.
He continued to look at me with a tender expression until we said
good-bye; but after the carriage door had been closed and the engine had
throbbed, and the guard had whistled, I thought I had never seen his
strong face so stern as when the train moved from the platform.
FIFTY-SIXTH CHAPTER
We reached Ellan towards the close of the following day. It was the
height of the holiday season, and the island seemed to be ablaze with
lights.
Two motor-cars were waiting for us at the pier, and in a little while we
were driving out of Blackwater through congested masses of people who
were rambling aimlessly through the principal streets.
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