"Eve, I want you to do something for me when I go away," he said.
Her heart beat fast, this was more promising.
"You know I am only too willing to do anything I can for you."
"That's good of you. I want you to keep an eye on things at Trent Park."
"Oh, yes; but even she wants supervising sometimes."
"And you think I can do it?" she asked with a smile.
"Nobody can do it so well; you are accustomed to manage, always have been. I've heard my father say so, and of course I've noticed it myself," said Alan.
He looked at her curiously, mischief in his eyes.
"I believe my governor was more than half in love with you, Eve," he said.
She felt hot, uncomfortable; Alan's father had been very much in love, or infatuated, with her.
"How foolish! Don't be absurd, Alan," she said hastily.
He had seen the change in her; he had sometimes wondered if his father had paid attentions to her, then dismissed the idea as ridiculous.
"You must know it is," she said, with emphasis.
"The governor was rather a ladies' man," he said smiling. He saw she was uncomfortable, and teased her.
"He was very polite and considerate," she replied.
"More polite than his son, according to your version," he answered.
"Not in so many words. You said I neglected my best friends."
"And it is true; you haven't been to see me for a month."
"Did you miss me? I mean did you want me to come and see you?"
"Very much. Are you not my nearest neighbor? Have we not been old friends for many years? I do not like to lose old friends," she said.
"There is no danger of losing me. That will rest with yourself; I am always at your commands," he answered.
Want him! Did she not always want him? Why was he so blind?
"If there is war you will go on active service?" she said.
"I hope so; I don't want to remain here, kicking my heels in idleness," he replied with a laugh.
"No; I suppose that is natural. I shall miss you very much."
"It's nice to be missed. I'm a lucky fellow, Eve."
"Yes; there's many a man would like to hear you say that--the Baron, for instance," he said.
"I think you are mistaken about the Baron," she said.
"He admires you, and didn't he give you the winner of the Derby?"
"But not the Hunt Cup," she replied with a laugh.
"No; but he wasn't far out," said Alan. "Then there's Harry Morby; he's your devoted slave."