"Why do you ask?"
"Because I want to know."
"Well"—Mordaunt's eyes studied him for a few seconds—"it is an unnecessary question."
"Because I know the answer?" questioned Max.
"Exactly."
"Very well." He straightened himself with a smile. "I think I can manage that for you."
"Wait!" Mordaunt said. "You mean well, but—I would rather you didn't attempt it. I would rather that Chris were left to settle this matter for herself."
"So she will. I know what I'm about, bless your heart! Chris always asks my advice and generally takes it. She will marry you all right before the end of the season. You leave it to me."
He turned from the window with the words, still smiling. "Give me five minutes alone with her," he said.
And Mordaunt, though more than half against his will, yielded the point, and let him go.