"He certainly considers himself so."
There was a pause, then Crane said, seriously:
"I don't want to interfere in your concerns further than I have to, or to offer you advice—"
"But I should be so glad to have you offer me advice, sir. It is one of the few things a gentleman may offer a girl in my position and she accept with a clear conscience."
For the first time Crane looked at her with suspicion. Her tone and look were demure in the extreme. He decided to go on.
"Well, then," he said, "if I were you I would not have a gentleman, especially such an impulsive one, hanging about, unless you are engaged to him with the consent of your family."
She raised her chin, without lifting her eyes.
"It's not the consent of our families that's lacking," she remarked.
"Oh, he's asked you to marry him?"
"Almost every day, sir, until to-day."