“Of course not, only——”
“I came to tell you that dinner was ready, and that Paul and I are both very hungry; and I only kissed you because I loved you; and if I had to choose a father again, out of the whole it would be you.”
He smiled fondly.
“But for the last six weeks,” said he, “you have not loved me so well.”
“No,” returned she with charming simplicity, “not for so long—nearly for fifteen days perhaps.”
“And yet it is more than a month since the good doctor brought a certain young man to dinner.”
Flavia uttered a frank, girlish laugh.
“I love you dearly,” said she, “but especially for one thing.”
“And what is that, pray?”
“Ah! that is the secret; but I will tell it you for all that. It is only within the last fortnight that I have found out how really good you have been, and how much trouble you took in bringing Paul to me; but to think that you should have to put on those ugly old clothes, that nasty beard and those spectacles.”