"The excitement kept him up at first. Now that that's over—"
Ashley interrupted her, addressing himself to Davenant. "I understand that it's to you we owe Mr. Guion's relief from the most pressing part of his cares."
Davenant's face clouded. It was the thing he was afraid of—Ashley's intrusion into the little domain of helpfulness which for a few days he had made his own. He answered warily:
"My business with Mr. Guion, Colonel, has been private. I hope you won't mind if we leave it so."
Ashley's manner took on the diplomatic persuasiveness he used toward restive barbaric potentates.
"Not a bit, my dear fellow. Of course it's private—only not as regards Miss Guion and me. You simply must allow us to say how grateful we are for your help, even though it need be no more than temporary."
The word produced its effect. Davenant looked from Ashley to Olivia while he echoed it. "Temporary?"
Ashley nodded again. "You have no objection, I presume, to that?"
"If Mr. Guion is ever in a position to pay me back," Davenant said, slowly, in some bewilderment, "of course I'll take it."
"Quite so; and I think I may say that with a little time—let us say a year—we shall be able to meet—"