"Now I've told you all," said Harry English, and got up from his chair.
"Thank you," said Bethune.
* * * * *
Aspasia's bright presence was suddenly with them. English wheeled round; but her smiling face was reassurance sufficient.
"I've come as I promised," she said, "to give you the last report. Dr. Châtelard says all is going as he wishes. He will be down immediately for some breakfast, and then he will tell you himself. Isn't he a darling little man?" she went on. "I am sorry I said he had a pink head! What should we do now without it? By the way, some one must send a wire to Melbury Towers for his luggage."
"Let me go," said Bethune, starting forward.
"Let him go," echoed Baby, saucily, turning to Captain English.
With such new happiness before her, the natural buoyancy of her nature was triumphant over all present doubt and anxiety. Bethune put out his hand, and she slipped her own confidingly into it.
"Harry," said he, and the girl wondered and was highly flattered at the sudden emotion that shook his voice, "you see how things stand between us?"
Again English flashed that glance of vivid scrutiny. This time his friend met it steadily, though again with a heightening colour. Then, after a perceptible pause: