"No. I was never in love. I thought I was, but my love was a snare and a delusion. But you thought so did you? Were you not jealous?"
"Not at all. I knew that Ida was mine, and I trusted her--you too."
"Wonderful man!" said Herrick looking into the fire. "Well you did right to trust us both. We are merely friends now. Indeed I know we never were anything else. I was blind; but she was not. However I am glad that you two are engaged. You will be happy."
"And when am I to congratulate you?"
"At this very minute if you like. Is it Bess you are talking of?"
Stephen sat up on the sofa looking astonished. "Yes," he said, "Ida saw that she was in love with you--"
"Ida is a clever woman. She prophesied my love would come suddenly. Bess has not yet formally consented to be my wife; but I think it will be all right."
"I am more than delighted. We shall be brothers-in-law. And you will always stay here Jim?"
"Living on you my dear fellow? No, I shall start practice again in Town, when I have got together sufficient money. Then when I am doing fairly well Bess shall come to me and supplement my income by writing novels in the intervals of looking after the house."
"Herrick you must not go away. You promised."