Howard's swift imagination pictured
the mutual attraction of the two, the enchanting discoveries, the
laughing sympathy. Guthrie would, no doubt, come down to Windlow.
It was exactly the kind of match that Mr. Sandys would like for
Maud; and this was to be the end of this tragic affair. How was he
to endure the rest of the days of the visit? This was Tuesday, and
they were not to go till Saturday; and he would have to watch the
budding of a romance which would end in his choosing Maud a
wedding-present, and attending at Windlow Church in the character
of the middle-aged squire, beaming through his glasses on the young
people.
In such abject reflections the walk passed away. He crept into
College by the side-entrance, settled down to his evening work with
grim tenacity, and lost himself in desperate imaginings of all the
pleasant things that might be happening to the party. They were to
dine at a restaurant, he believed, and probably Guthrie would be
free to join them.
Late that night Jack looked in. "Is anything the matter?" he said.
"Why didn't you come to Guthrie's? Look here, you are going to play
fair, aren't you? I can't do all the entertaining business myself.
I really must have a day off to-morrow, and get some exercise."
"All right," said Howard, "I'll take them on. Suppose you bring
them to luncheon here. And I will tell you what I will do. I will
be responsible for to-morrow afternoon. Then on Thursday you shall
come and dine here again; and on Friday I will try to get the
Master to lunch--that will smooth things over a bit.
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