“Oh, you have met him. I remember; he said he should call in at the Dead Church, as he had something to say to you.”
Stella determined to get the conversation over, so she forced the pace. She was a person who liked to have disagreeable things behind her. Drawing herself up, she answered steadily:
“He did call in, and—he said it.”
“What, my dear, what?” asked Mr. Fregelius innocently.
“He asked me to marry him, father; I think he told me with your consent.”
Mr. Fregelius, auguring the very best from this openness, answered in tones which he could not prevent from betraying an unseemly joy.
“Quite true, Stella; I told him to go on and prosper; and really I hope he has prospered.”
“Yes,” said Stella reflectively.
“Then, my dear love, am I to understand that you are engaged to him?”
“Engaged to him! Certainly not,” she answered.