"Oh!" interrupted Alice, with a frightened look in her eyes. "How do you know that my father is aware of our engagement?"
"The letters you received to-day——"
This time Montrose interrupted, and there was a note of awe in his voice. "I believe you know everything, Eberstein."
"I know that you are invited down to Cornwall, so that Mr. Enistor may judge if you are the man he would choose to be his son-in-law."
"But how do you know?" said Alice, startled. "You make me afraid!"
Eberstein took her hand and gazed directly into her eyes. "Are you sure that I make you afraid?" he asked gently.
"Why, no!" Alice felt the momentary fear vanish in an unaccountable way.
"And you trust me even though you have known me such a short time? Remember, you have only met me once, Miss Enistor." He loosened his soft, reassuring grasp and leaned back in his chair.
"I do trust you," said the girl promptly, "you have been kind to Douglas."
"Is that the sole reason?"