He was on the point of rising, however, when he saw three figures
come down the empty vista of the terrace--figures which even at a
distance had a familiar air. He immediately left his seat and, taking
a dozen steps, recognized Angela Vivian, Blanche Evers and Captain
Lovelock. In a moment he met them in the middle of the terrace.
Blanche immediately announced that they had come for a midnight walk.
"And if you think it 's improper," she exclaimed, "it 's not my
invention--it 's Miss Vivian's."
"I beg pardon--it 's mine," said Captain Lovelock. "I desire the credit
of it. I started the idea; you never would have come without me."
"I think it would have been more proper to come without you than with
you," Blanche declared. "You know you 're a dreadful character."
"I 'm much worse when I 'm away from you than when I 'm with you," said
Lovelock. "You keep me in order."
The young girl gave a little cry.
"I don't know what you call order! You can't be worse than you have been
to-night."
Angela was not listening to this; she turned away a little, looking
about at the empty garden.
"This is the third time to-day that you have contradicted yourself," he
said. Though he spoke softly he went nearer to her; but she appeared not
to hear him--she looked away.
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