In Corn

"He gives no explanation, but he is coming to-night. Coming to call
after dinner, and he asks me to see him alone, so I'll find out all
about it, and tell you afterwards."

"Alone!" Ron's face was eloquent with surprise, disappointment, and a
dawning suspicion. "Why alone? It's more my affair than yours. I
must thank him before he goes."

"I'll send for you, then. I suppose he wants to explain to me first.
I'll be sure to send for you!" reiterated Margot hurriedly, as she
disappeared through the doorway. Her first impulse was, girl-like, to
make for her own room, to give those final touches to hair and dress,
which are so all-important in effect, and that done, to sit alone,
listening for the expected knock at the door, the sound of footsteps
ascending to the drawing-room. To meet George Elgood here! To see his
tall dark figure outlined against the familiar background of home,--
Margot gasped at the thought, and felt her heart leap painfully at every
fresh sound.

The postman, the parcels delivery, a van from the Stores, had all
claimed the tribute of a blush, a gasp, and a fresh rush to the glass,
before at last slow footsteps were heard mounting the stairs, and Mary's
voice at the door announced, "A gentleman to see you, Miss Margot!" and
in another minute, as it seemed, she was facing George Elgood across the
length of the drawing-room.