"Or," she added, becoming grave, "are you really quite tired out with being with me?"
"I was hardly thinking that," said Canning.
He dropped into a chair and stared into the fire. Carlisle glanced at his face in profile; a virile and commanding face it was, and to her, singularly attractive.
"My thoughts were running in the contrary direction," said Canning. "Do you remember my saying long ago that once I began to gambol, I was never satisfied till I had gambolled all over the place? I suppose I need a guardian, but unluckily I have one. Miss Heth, I've some sad news--sad for me, I mean. I must go south to-morrow."
Carlisle turned her head with a little start.
"No--you're right! I _can't _go to-morrow! The day after at the farthest, or I suppose Heber'll be down after me with a couple of sheriffs."
"But I don't understand," she said, hurriedly. "What's happened? I--I hoped you would stay till the end of the week at least."
"So did I, though of course I've known I'd no business hanging on the skirt of Mason and Dixon's line this way. I might almost as well be in my office at home--tackling the pile of work that's been rolling up while I go on with this invalid's mummery.... Well, Heber's found me out, as of course the clever beggar would. He's been thinking, you see, that I was in Pineburst, at the least. I had a red-headed telegram from him this afternoon ordering me to move on to Palm Beach instanter, or he would bring my revered parents down on me like a thousand of brick--no small matter, I assure you.... Palm Beach--Havana, perhaps!--till winter breaks!... A happy New Year message, isn't it?"
"It's very sad for me," said Carlisle, looking away from him.
"Well, I can't say that I feel exactly hilarious about it, you know."
There fell a brief silence, in which the crackling of the large new coal became noticeable.
"Duty is a hard word, Miss Heth," said Canning. "A thousand times I've wished that I wasn't an only son--my family's one hopeful. But I am, alas.... And hence the little rest-cure...."
"Yes, it's hard," she answered. And instead of going on as some girls would, "Don't you think you could _possibly_ stay a little longer?"--she added, in tones of comforting: "But of course you will enjoy Florida immensely. You know you'll find agreeable people, and plenty of fun--"