"
"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," said Toby.
But she could not look with severity into the handsome young face that
was bent to hers. It was not in her to repulse a friendly influence. She
had to respond.
"I'll tell you what you're going to do," said Bunny, marking her
weakening with cheery assurance. "You'll take Chops for a walk to-morrow
evening through the Burchester Woods. You know that gate by the larch
copse? It's barely a mile across the down. Be there at seven, and
perhaps--who knows?--perhaps--Chops may meet somebody he's rather fond
of."
"And again perhaps he mayn't," said Toby, suppressing a dimple.
"Oh, I say, that's shabby! You'll give him the chance anyhow?"
The pleading note sounded in Bunny's voice. Toby suddenly dropped her
eyes. She looked as if she were bracing herself to refuse.
Bunny saw and quickly grappled with the danger. "Give him the chance!" he
urged softly into her ear. "You won't be sorry--afterwards."
She did not lift her eyes, but somehow the enchantment held. By a bold
stroke he had entered her defences, and she could not for the moment
drive him out. She was silent.
"You'll come?" whispered Bunny.
They were nearing a little group of ponies that were being held in
readiness at the end of the field.
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