He went out, leaving Dolly to comfort Vanbrugh with tea, for he was far too much excited to sit down or to listen to their conversation. The whole matter might be more or less indifferent to them, whose lives could not be affected directly by Mrs. Darche's misfortunes, but he felt that his own happiness was in the balance. He knew also that, by the arrangements he had made, John Darche would be brought to the house in the course of the next hour, before being taken back to prison for the night, and it was necessary to warn Marion and to see that the old gentleman was prepared to receive his son.
"How about old Mr. Darche?" inquired Dolly, when she and Vanbrugh were left alone.
"Every one is sorry for him," said Vanbrugh, "just as every one execrates John. I get very little credit for the defence," he added, with a dry laugh.
"How good you are!" exclaimed Dolly.
"Am I? It seems to me it was the least I could do."
"It will not seem so to every one," said Dolly.
"I would do a great deal for Mrs. Darche," said Vanbrugh.
"Yes, I know you would. You—you are very fond of her, are you not?" She turned her face away as she asked the question.
"I wish to be a good friend to her."
"And something more?" suggested Dolly, in a tone of interrogation.