Julia half rose.
“No, no,” he cried, trying to reach her hand, and then uttering a petulant ejaculation, for Mrs Hallam entered the room, looked eagerly from one to the other, and came forward, while Julia gave her a beseeching look, and went out.
For a few minutes neither spoke, and then Eaton placed a chair for Mrs Hallam, and as she took it gazing at him searchingly, he hastily thought over what he should say, and ended by saying something else, for in a quick, blundering way, he cried:
“Mrs Hallam, I cannot say what I wish. You know how I love her.”
Mrs Hallam drew a long sighing breath, full of relief, and her eyes became suffused with tears.
“Yes,” she said at last; “I felt that you did love her. Have you told Julie so?”
“Not in words,” he cried. “She disarms me. I want to say so much, but I can only sit and look. But you will give your consent?”
“Have you thought all this over?” said Mrs Hallam gravely. “You know everything—why we came here?”
“Yes, yes,” he cried quickly. “I know all. I have known it from your first landing.”
“Such a union would not be suitable for you,” she said gravely.