"I wish to help you in every way."
She went on without heeding my impetuous speech. "I doubted: one always doubts a man. I asked Mrs. Gilfin about you. What she told me, confirmed the impression I had gained from your looks. I felt certain from many times we have met that Mrs. Gilfin spoke truly. You are a man I can trust."
"Yes! yes! But am I a man you can love?"
"Let it remain as trust for the time being. I still had doubts, and to-day I told you to go away."
"Why?"
"Because you said nothing, you did nothing. You were neither hot nor--ah well, remember what I said to-day when we met. I could not make a friend of anyone who was indifferent. But now, as I see you mean to be my friend, I may trust you. I need sympathy: I need help: I need"--she started to her feet and held up an anxious finger. "Hark! hark! Not a word to him."
To him? I wondered what she meant, until the door opened and a man walked delicately into the room.
"Here I am, daughterling," said the man gaily.