“Very well—my benefactor,” she said slowly.
“Do my ears deceive me? How good that sounds!” He seized both her hands for a quick moment. Her flushed face and subdued tone impressed him.
“I’m afraid you’re very tired, Miss Frink. Too much excitement, perhaps.”
“Yes; in this world we must accept the bitter with the sweet, but—nothing is any matter. What did you want of me?”
“Why, I’m leaving for New York to-night, and I wish to ask a privilege before I go. I’ve no doubt there are numbers of gentle-folk in Farrandale, but I happen to have made the acquaintance of only two: Colonel Duane and his granddaughter. Tongues are going to buzz for a while now, and I would like to beat the gossips to it with those fine people. I should like to tell them my own part in what has taken place.”
“Very well; I have no objection. Open confession is good for the soul.” Miss Frink smiled wearily.
“Now you go to bed, Miss Frink. Please do. Let Grimshaw run the city of Farrandale to-day.”
“He is very soon going to escort Mrs. Lumbard to her new abiding-place at Mrs. Cooper’s.”
“That will rest you, eh?” asked Ogden appreciatively. “She really intends to stay here and teach the young idea?”