"People who know me," said Marion.
"Meaning me?"
"If you like."
"If I like!" exclaimed Brett. Then, having broken the ice, as it were, his voice suddenly changed. "There is nothing I like so much, there is nothing I would rather do than take care of you and what belongs to you."
"You have shown it," answered Mrs. Darche gently. She took the photograph from Brett's hand and looked at it, in her turn, without seeing it.
"I have tried to, once or twice," said Brett, "when you needed help."
"Indeed you have. And you know that I am grateful too."
"I do not care to know that," he replied. "If I ever did anything for you—it was only what any other man would have done in my place—it was not for the sake of earning your gratitude."
"For what then?"
Brett hesitated a moment before he answered, and then turned from her towards the window as he spoke.