Dinah watched him till the door closed; then very suddenly and urgently
she turned to Scott.
"Oh, please, will you help me?" she said.
He gave her a straight, keen look that seemed to penetrate to her soul.
"If it lies in my power," he said slowly.
She caught her breath, pierced by a sharp uncertainty. "You can. I'm sure
you can," she said.
He set down his cup. "Dinah," he said gently, "don't ask me to interfere
in your affairs if you can by any means manage without!"
"But that's just it!" she said in distress. "I can't."
He leaned forward. "My dear, don't be agitated!" he said. "Tell me what
is the matter!"
Dinah leaned forward also, her hands tightly clasped, and spoke in a
rapid whisper.
"Scott, Eustace wants me to go for an all-day picnic alone with him
to-morrow. I--don't want to go."
He was still looking at her with that straight, almost stern regard. An
odd little quiver went through her as she met it. She felt as if she were
in a fashion on her trial.
"Why don't you want to go?" he asked.
She hesitated. "I was to have gone up to town with Isabel to shop," she
said.
"No, that isn't the reason," he said. "Tell me the reason!"
She made a quick gesture of appeal. "I--wish you wouldn't ask," she
faltered, and suddenly she could meet his eyes no longer. She lowered her
own, and sat before him in burning confusion.
"Have you asked yourself?" he said, his voice very low.
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