"Lisbeth," I broke in, "if you'll only—"
"I naturally supposed—"
"If you'll only let me explain—"
"That you would abide by the promise you made her and wait—"
"Until you knew your own heart," I put in. "The question is, how long will it take you? Probably, if you would allow me to teach you—"
"Your presence here now stamps you as—as horribly deceitful!"
"Undoubtedly," I nodded; "but you see when I was foolish enough to give that promise your very excellent Aunt made no reference to her intentions regarding a certain Mr. Selwyn."
"Oh!" exclaimed Lisbeth. And feeling that I had made a point, I continued with redoubled ardour:
"She gave me to understand that she merely wished you to have time to know your own heart in the matter. Now, as I said before, how long will it take you to find out, Lisbeth?"
She sat chin in hand staring straight before her, and her black brows were still drawn together in a frown. But I watched her mouth—just where the scarlet underlip curved up to meet its fellow.