"What business?" asked Comethup, a little coldly.
"Why, your engagement, of course. Well, I congratulate you. Our little friend has certainly grown into a lovely woman, but she always gave promise of that. My dear boy, you come in for all the good things; what _have_ you done to deserve them?"
"Yes, I suppose I'm very lucky," said Comethup. He hesitated for a moment, and then held out his hand. "Good-night!"
"Oh, but it's no use your going in now," said Brian; "she's gone to bed; got a headache or something of the kind. You won't be able to see her."
"Well, I'm going to the house at all events," said Comethup doggedly; "I can at least inquire how she is. Good-night!"
"Good-night," said Brian, and shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
Comethup went through the garden, and stood under the balcony. A light was burning in the room in which he had once sat with 'Linda, but the long French windows were closed. He climbed the steps and walked to the windows and looked in; Mrs. Dawson sat beside the table sewing. He knocked upon the pane, and then thrust open the window and walked in. She looked up quietly, letting her work rest under her hands in her lap. For a moment neither of them spoke.
"'Linda?" he asked at last. "Where is she?"
"She's gone to her room," replied the woman, looking at him in some surprise.
"But she can not have gone long, and I want to see her," said Comethup.
"She gave me strict instructions she was not to be disturbed."
"Ah! but she didn't know that I was coming to her. I must see her; I haven't seen her all day, although she promised to meet me."
The woman rose slowly from her seat and laid her work on the table; she came toward him, looking at him with a curious intentness. "You haven't seen her all day? Then who was with her in the garden just now, and why did she run in crying? I saw that, although she hid her face from me."
"I--I don't know," said Comethup, with a miserable pain beginning to gnaw at his heart. "I suspect--I know you're mistaken, as you were before, when you thought she met some one. But will you please go and tell her that I am here, and that I should like to see her?"
Without another word Mrs. Dawson went out of the room, and he heard her quick feet ascending the stairs. Within a few minutes she returned, and stood just within the doorway of the room, looking at him. "She says you must forgive her, but she can not see you to-night. She will see you to-morrow. And she sends you her love."