"You do need some one—and I am going to undertake it."
Her face lighted up. He thought it was because of what he had said. But she immediately undeceived him. She said in a tone of delighted relief, "Here comes Mr. Tetlow. You must excuse me."
"Dorothy—listen!" he cried. "We are going to be married at once."
The words exploded dizzily in his ears. He assumed they would have a far more powerful effect upon her. But her expression did not change. "No," she said hastily. "I must go with Mr. Tetlow." Tetlow was now at hand, his heavy face almost formidable in its dark ferocity. She said to him: "I was waiting for you. Come on"
Norman turned eagerly to his former friend. He said: "Tetlow, I have just asked Miss Hallowell to be my wife."
Tetlow stared. Then pain and despair seemed to flood and ravage his whole body.
"I told you the other day," Norman went on, "that I was ready to do the fair thing. I have just been saying to Miss Hallowell that she must have some one to protect her. You agree with me, don't you?"
Tetlow, fumbling vaguely with his watch chain, gazed straight ahead. "Yes," he said with an effort. "Yes, you are right, Norman. An office is no place for an attractive girl as young as she is."
"Has Culver been annoying her?" inquired Norman.
Tetlow started. "Ah—she's told you—has she? I rather hoped she hadn't noticed or understood."