"If it is anything against Ferdie, of course I shall not," answered
Cicely, composedly.
The judge had followed Paul to his tent. He waited anxiously outside,
and then followed him back.
"I don't believe, after all, Cicely, that you are going to do what I
don't want you to do," said Paul, in a cheerful tone, as he came up. He
seemed to have abandoned whatever purpose he had had, for he brought
nothing with him--his hands were empty.
Cicely did not reply, she played with a curl of Jack's hair.
"Ferdie himself doesn't want you to go; you showed me his letter saying
so."
"Yes."
"Isn't that enough, then? Come, don't be so cold with me," Paul went on,
his voice taking caressing tones.
Cicely felt their influence. "I want to go, Paul, because that very
letter of Ferdie's makes me afraid," she said, wistfully; "I feel that
there is something behind, something I do not know."
"If there is, it is something which he does not wish you to know."
"That could never be; it is only because I am not with him; when I am
with him, he tells me everything, he likes to tell me."
"Will you take my word for it if I assure you that it is much better for
both of you, not only for yourself, but for Ferdie, that you stay here
awhile longer?"
"No," replied Cicely, hardening. Her "no" was quiet, but it expressed an
obstinacy that was immovable.