“Eh? Very good of you, I’m sure. I’ll send for them. They’ll be delighted.”
He rose to ring, but Stratton interposed.
“Not yet, sir, please,” he cried; “I have something else to say.”
“Wants to borrow a hundred for his outfit,” thought the admiral. “Well, I like the fellow; he shall have it. Now, my lad,” he said aloud as he resumed his seat. “What is it?”
Stratton hesitated for a few moments, and then hurriedly:
“I have met Miss Myra Jerrold and Miss Perrin frequently at their aunt’s, Sir Mark, and to a great extent you have made me free of your house. You will grant, I hope, that feelings such as have grown up in me were quite natural. It was impossible for me to be in their society without forming an attachment, but I give you my word, sir, as a man, that never by word or look have I trespassed upon the kindness you have accorded me; and had I remained poor, as I believed myself yesterday, I should never have uttered a word.”
“Humph!” ejaculated the admiral, gazing at him sternly.
“But now that I do know my position, my first step is to come to you and explain.”
“And the young lady? You have not spoken to her on the subject?”
“Never, Sir Mark, I swear.”