So he began to urge his suit with all a lover's devotion, picturing to her the possibility of her father's refusal.
"You are so young, dear Kathleen, he might want us to wait years and years, and there are so many things that might come between our love," he urged, anxiously.
She shuddered and thought of Alpine Belmont's cruelty. The remembrance decided her; she consented to his wish.
They were driven to the station to take the train for Washington.
"In about three hours we shall be there, and then you shall soon be my little wife," he whispered, joyfully.
They learned that the train was more than an hour late. They went into the reception-room to wait.
Then it suddenly occurred to him that the members of his company at the hotel would be so alarmed at his non-appearance that night that they would think he had been foully dealt with, and raise a great hue and cry.
He hastened to explain these facts to his lovely, girlish fiancée.
"Do you think you would mind staying alone here, long enough for me to go and excuse myself to them?" he inquired, tenderly.