In the years past she had known him well enough to remember his moods, and she gave him the papers in silence.
"
About Mademoiselle Dulany," she continued. "Since your letter, I have made inquiries concerning her. I shall be glad to know her, for her own sake as well as yours."
"I'm going to ask a great favor of you for her, Patricia," he answered. "You live in this great house alone. It would be better to have more people about you. I want you to see much of her, for I am hoping that some day she may be my wife."
He spoke the last word tenderly, a bit wistfully.
"Ah, Dermott," she cried, "I had no idea! I shall be so glad to do anything I can! Why couldn't she come and stay with me?"
"That is like you," he answered, gratefully; "but such things can never be arranged happily. They must grow. Wait until you meet her. I am to see her to-night. I will bring her to you to-morrow, if I may."
"It is arranged, this marriage?" she asked, delighted at a bit of romance.
"Not in the least," he answered, concisely.
"But she loves you?"