"What are you running away for now?" asked his sister, with asperity. "What has put this German notion in your head?"
The young man smiled.
"My dear Grace, don't wear that severe face. Why should I not go? What is to detain me here?"
This was such an unanswerable question that Grace only turned away impatiently; and Kate, who was in the room, fancying the brother and sister might wish to be alone, arose and departed. As the door closed after her, Captain Danton's wife faced round and renewed the attack.
"If you want to know what is to detain you here, I can tell you now. Stay at home and marry Kate Danton."
Her brother laughed, but in rather a constrained way.
"That is easier said than done, sister mine. Miss Danton never did more than tolerate me in her life—sometimes not even that. Impossibilities are not so easily achieved as you think."
"Suppose you try."
"And be refused for my pains. No, thank you."
"Very well," said Mrs. Grace with a shrug; "a wilful man must have his way! You cannot tell whether you will be refused or not until you ask."