The young girl glanced at him timidly.
"I wish you knew how much I liked you," she said. "I never knew a man I respected more."
"That is most gratifying," he answered, "for I hold your good opinion very highly. You must think I speak in riddles, for I have said that I demand payment for my services, and yet that I would not accept the greatest gift it is in your power to bestow upon me. Let me wait no longer in my explanation. When I have put your father out of all danger from this blackmailer—and I can easily do it, never fear—you must do justice to Shirley Roseleaf."
She shivered at the name, as if the east wind blew upon her.
"He is not a true man," she replied, in a whisper. "He has forfeited all claim to my consideration."
"Why do you say that? I am afraid there is another misunderstanding here, my child."
Then he drew out of her, slowly at first, the revelations that Millicent had made. And he disposed of the charges, one by one, until there was nothing left of them.
"Could you—would you—only go with me to his rooms," he added, "and see him lying there, wan and pale, disheartened at the present, hopeless for the future, you would change your mind. He has never in his life loved but one woman, and that one is yourself. I will not undertake to say why you have been told differently, though I could guess. Shirley Roseleaf loves you, Miss Daisy, and you love him. When I have made good my promise, I shall ask you to come to my friend's side and bring him back to health with the sunshine of your presence."
Daisy was more than half convinced, for the strong affection she had had for the young man plead for him in every drop of her blood.
"Is he so very ill?" she asked, dreamily.