"I'm sorry, Roger, but perhaps I ought not go. And I hate to disappoint your mother when she has been so kind to us. But Dr. Collaston is coming in this evening—"
There was a flood of scarlet leaping to her face as she gave a half-embarrassed laugh.
"Oh, Patty! you don't mean—I mistrusted he was in love with you, but it doesn't always follow that a girl is in love. Shall I give you my best, my most heartfelt wishes? For I know your father will approve. He is a fine fellow, and a fortune is no detriment."
He took her hand in a tender clasp and then pressed it to his lips.
"Yes, the approval was sought beforehand. He heard from papa this morning, and came at once. And I'm not good at secrets," with a joyous laugh.
"And you are very happy? I need not ask it of such eyes as those." Their great gladness gave him a pang.
"It was so sudden. You see, I wasn't quite sure," the color fluttering up and down her sweet face. "I kept saying to myself, 'There are plenty of others,' and now I know there was just one, and I could never be so glad about any other. I am a silly girl, am I not, but you are almost a brother—"
"I wish I were quite, in the way that marriage gives you a brother. I shall shake hands most cordially with the doctor. Perhaps we might go as a party—would you mind?"
"Oh, no! If you could find Jaqueline."
"I'll see at once, and send you word. And get word to the doctor also."