"You have been very good to me," she replied simply.
"Good to myself, you mean. It is the greatest pleasure I have in life to give you pleasure, Marion."
"Mr. Allingford!" she said, half rising. He had used her Christian name for the first time.
"Forgive me if I call you Marion," he went on, noting with relief that her ladyship was talking charity bazaar to Jack, and so assuring him from interruption.
"I mean, give me the right to do so. You see I'm awfully in love with you; I can't help loving the sweetest girl I know. You must have seen how I cared."
"Lately, yes—I have suspected it," she answered in a low voice.
"Do you mind? I can't help it if you do. I'll love you anyway, but I want you to be my wife, to care for me just a little; I don't ask more."
"I think you must speak to mamma."
"But I don't wish—I mean, can't you give me something to go on—some assurance?"
She blushed and looked down, repeating the phrase, "I think you must speak to mamma."