"Ver-onica?"
You needn't be frightened. Nicky's affection for Ronny is purely paternal."
"I'm not frightened," said Frances. But she left the room. She did not care for the turn the talk had taken. Besides, she wanted Vera to see that she was not afraid to leave her alone with Anthony.
"I'm glad Frances has gone," said Vera, "because I want to talk to you. You'd never have known each other if it hadn't been for me. She couldn't have married you. It was I who saw you both through."
He assented.
"And you said if there was ever anything you could do for me--You haven't by any chance forgotten?"
"I have not."
"Well, if anything should happen to me--"
"But, my dear girl, what should happen to you?"
"Things do happen, Anthony."