"You seem to know her well, calling her by her name."
"I've known her for some years, and as she is something of a poetess I help her to get her poems into print. She looks on me as a kind of--of father," added Jarman, colouring.
Frank nodded. He guessed the truth, but was too languid to argue it. But he couldn't help asking what Mrs. Baker had been about to observe when Eustace left the shop. "Was she speaking of Miss Starth?"
"I don't know. Mrs. Baker is by way of being a matchmaker, and always couples names. There was a rumour that I was engaged to Mildred."
"It wasn't true?"
"No. I've had enough of women. Seven years ago in 'Frisco--" Jarman checked himself impatiently. "What's the use of raking up old tales. You seem very interested in Miss Starth?"
"Naturally," said Lancaster, sadly, "seeing what I am supposed to have done. If she knew, she would denounce me."
"Not on the evidence you have placed before me," said Jarman. "She's a sensible girl. And the death of her brother will add to her income."
"What an unpleasant speech!" said Frank, in vexed tones.
"We live in a world of facts, my boy. Besides, that beauty is no loss."