At last he rose.
"I must go."
They went out through the garden to the wicket that parted her demesne
from the formal, wide pleasure-sweeps. He stopped for a moment under
the great tree.
"In a fortnight or so I must go to Edinburgh to see Renwick about that
land. And it is in my mind to travel from there to London for a few
weeks. There are two or three persons whom I know who could put a
stout shoulder to the wheel of Jamie's prospects. Word of mouth is
better with them than would be letters. Jamie is at Windsor. I could
take him with me here or there--give him, doubtless, a little help."
"You are a world-man," said his friend, "which is quite different from
a worldly man! Come or go as you will, still all is your garden that
you cultivate.... Now you are thinking again of Elspeth!"
"Perhaps if for a month or two I plague her not, then when I come
again she may have a greater knowledge of herself. Perhaps it is more
generous to be absent for a time--"
"I see that you will not doubt--that you cannot doubt--that in the
end she loves you!"
"Is it arrogance, self-love, and ignorance if I think that? Or is it
knowledge? I think it, and I cannot and will not else!"
They came to the wicket, and stood there a moment ere going on by the
terrace to the front of the house. The day was now clear and vivid,
soft and bright.
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