“Now, my dear Jack, pray help yourself—those cigars I know you approve; I heard you praise them at the Hurst, and I brought a box at once.”
“Thanks,” said Jack, and he lit a cigar.
Stephen mixed the Apollinaris and brandy; and leaned back serene and amiable.
“And now, my dear Jack, I am ready to answer all questions.”
Jack looked down and frowned thoughtfully. He did not know how to put them. Stephen smiled maliciously behind his hand.
“You want to know how it comes about that Miss Rolfe is under my mother’s charge—under my charge, I may say?”
“Under yours?” said Jack, grimly.
Stephen nodded.
“It is a very simple affair, Jack. There is no mystery. The fact is, I have known Miss Rolfe’s father for some years. He is a very good fellow, but very eccentric.”
“I know,” said Jack; “I’ve seen him.”