"Perhaps I did not use you well," she resumed.
"From the beginning you were very kind," Kit broke out. "When I last saw you, I talked like a hot-tempered fool. I didn't see all I owed you, I meant to force you to lend me the boat. The strange thing is, I hadn't thought about Betty; but it was really she who helped. Betty is like that——"
He was quiet for a moment or two, but Mrs. Austin waited and he went on: "Well, I have done what I undertook, and Don Arturo has given me a better post. Perhaps the post is not very good, but I am going to ask Olivia if, when I have made some progress, she will marry me."
"Do you expect me to approve? Or do you feel I ought to know your plans?" Mrs. Austin asked.
"I think I want to be honest," Kit replied, rather dryly.
Mrs. Austin smiled. "Your honesty is obvious. Well, I don't know that I would approve, but if you can persuade Olivia, I'll try to be resigned."
"You don't expect I can persuade her?"
"Perhaps I don't. Do you?"
"I do not," said Kit. "For all that, I'm going to use some effort."
"You are an obstinate fellow," Mrs. Austin rejoined. "However, you will understand my not wishing you good luck. In fact, I rather think you don't know your luck!"