"I dare not!" she said, with trembling lips. "I would like to come,
but--"
"Listen!" said Alan Hawke, softly taking her unresisting hand, "I
will confide in you. I must, even to-day, go to Hugh Johnstone's
house. He has bidden me to a private interview. And he gives
a tiffin in my honor. I have known him in past years. He does not
as yet know of my official position. My duties are secret. My very
honor forbids me to divulge it. I dare not openly acknowledge an
acquaintance with you, with your sister. It rests with you that
we meet again, for my sake, for your own sake, for your sister's
sake. I cannot lose you for a mere quibble."
There was a genuine alarm in Justine Delande's voice as she started
up, crying out, "You come to us to-day?"
"Precisely!" gravely said Major Hawke, as he tried a long shot.
"Both Captain Anstruther and myself have the gravest secret duties
in connection with Hugh Johnstone's future. He soon may be Sir Hugh,
you know. And I dare not divulge to him my own delicate functions
in this matter. Now you understand me at last," said Hawke, warmly
pressing Justine Delande's hand. "I feel that I must not lose you,
because I have my duty to perform, and I trust my honor to you. All
will be well if you will only favor me with your womanly kindness,
and trust to me as frankly as I to you. We must meet to-day at Hugh
Johnstone's as absolute strangers.
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