"But you are not afraid? If you are, I shall be up all night, and will be so happy to help you."
I thought I felt a gentle pressure of her hand, but I was not sure; but
I know that her look made me very happy as she, together with Edith
Gray, entered her room a few minutes after.
When they had gone, I said to Tom, "I am not going to bed to-night."
"No?" said Tom. "Well, I'll stay up with you."
"This ghost affair is nonsense, Tom. I hope you will not find any valuables gone to-morrow."
"Real or not," said Tom, gaily, "I'm glad it came."
"How's that?"
"It gave me nerve to pop the question," he replied. "I told my little girl just now—for she is mine now—that she wanted a strong man to protect such a weak little darling."
"And she?"
"She said that she knew of no one, whom she liked, that cared enough for her to protect her. So I told her I did, and then—well, what followed was perfectly satisfactory."