"It was only my duty to warn you of my poor father's weakness," replied Diana. "If I needed thanks, your kindness to him is the only boon I could ask. He has bitter need of a friend."
"And he shall never lack one while I live, if only for your sake." The last half of the sentence was spoken in lower tones than the first. Diana was conscious of the lurking tenderness of those few words, and the consciousness embarrassed her. Happily they had reached the end of the quiet street by this time, and had emerged into the busier square. No more was said till they reached the cab-stand, when Diana wished her companion good night.
"I am going back to Normandy in a week, Miss Paget; shall I see you again before I leave England?"
"I really don't know; our meetings are generally accidental, you see."
"O yes, of course, always accidental," replied Gustave, smiling.
"I am sorry you are going to leave London—for papa's sake."
"And I, too, am sorry—for my own sake. But, you see, when one has daughters, and a farm, and a chateau, one must be on the spot. I came to England for one week only, and I have stayed six."
"You have found so much to amuse you in London?"
"Nay, mademoiselle, so much to interest me."
"It is almost the same thing, is it not?"