"No, poor fellow. You and I. We were such companions, and I always told you everything--and now talking like this!" Miss Starth's eyes filled with tears. "It's a shame."
"I can't help loving you."
"Well, I love you--in a way. No, don't come any nearer. I--I--looked on you as a--a--father," sobbed Mildred.
"Oh, Heavens! There's no more to be said after that. Let me remain in that relationship."
"No. That is"--Mildred dried her tears, and became alarmed because she thought she was inflicting pain--"that is--you know, I don't mind--well, if you can't guess."
"Does that mean you will marry me?" asked Jarman, catching his breath.
Mildred rolled her handkerchief up into a ball, and became more of a woman and less of a schoolgirl. "I will marry you on one condition."
"What is that?" he asked, eagerly.
"That you find out and punish the person who killed Walter."
Jarman's heart leaped. "Do you mean Lancaster?" he asked, alarmed.