‘Teresa!’ the young lover exclaimed when they were in the hall, ‘say you don’t regret. I have loved you since the moment I saw you first.’
‘I don’t regret,’ she said simply. ‘Why should I?’
‘Call me Dick,’ he demanded.
‘Dick.’
‘And kiss me.’
She kissed him.
‘Thanks,’ he said in his curious, undisturbed way; ‘that is indeed good. Now go to bed and rest. I will have a thorough explanation with your father at once. I am determined on that. We must know where we stand, you and I;’ and without waiting for her to make any reply, he flung back into the drawing-room and slammed the door.
Raphael still sat on the Chesterfield, apparently lost in thought.
‘Mr. Craig,’ Richard began, ‘I am now, for practical purposes, a member of your family. Your interests are, presumably, your daughter’s interests, and your daughter’s interests are certainly my interests; therefore——’
‘Therefore?’ repeated Mr. Craig imperturbably.