"It won't be all that," said Maurice, with one of his slow smiles; "and Cecil is worth nearly that."
There was a look in Maurice's eyes just then, that made Danvers turn his head aside.
"Upon my word, there must be something in the girl," he said to himself. "What a lad this is, after all!"
Aloud he said, after a brief pause, "And suppose I agree?"
"Cecil will be perfectly happy and contented."
"But she doesn't know me, and I never laid eyes on her in my life."
"Oh, yes, you did! you must. She goes to church with us every Sunday."
"I never look at women when I can help it," said Danvers. "I keep my eyes on my book in church, and when your head master preaches, I shut them; no, I don't go to sleep, so you needn't wink, you dog! I can think better with my eyes shut."
"Well, at any rate," said Maurice, "Cecil knows about you; she knows we'd be safe with you."
Danvers uttered a deep groan.