Philip had appeared to get on so well with “Miss Le Breton.” In his hopefulness, Alvin quite lost sight of the fact that the supposed mental taint might prove an insurmountable obstacle to the girl’s marriage with anyone. Knowing as he did that Eweretta was both intellectual and well educated, he saw no reason why she should not be a good wife for anyone. But to other people Eweretta was “Aimée Le Breton,” and he, Alvin, had spread the report of her being mentally deficient. This report had gained weight by the appearance of the girl herself; for while under the constant influence of drugs she had not appeared herself. Also, she had had wild, hysterical moods from the same cause, when she would sing wild, mournful songs which had been heard and commented upon. The sudden restoration to a normal condition might be looked upon with suspicion by the Gissing and Hastings folk.
Alvin was writing a note, which he meant to leave at the bungalow. He chuckled over the cleverness which had given him the idea.
He reminded Philip that he had expressed a wish to be of use to the half-sister of Eweretta, and suggested that as Aimée had seemed to be so interested in the new novel, Philip should read her a little of it at any time when he had leisure. “If you and your friend Mr. Webster would give us the pleasure of your company some night at dinner—any night of your own choosing—we should think it very kind of you,” Alvin wrote. “I have not seen Aimée so interested before, as she was in talking with you.”
Having finished the letter, Alvin took it to the bungalow, and gave it to Davis, for Philip was at that time on his way to Ore with Dan.
In this way Alvin tried to play Providence, and to bring together two young people who no longer desired each other.
Philip, on his return to the bungalow, was highly flattered by the request that he should read some of his new book aloud. He had been longing to try the effect of it on someone.
In consequence, the next morning, Soda’s hock being now all right, he rode over to Hawk’s Nest to tell Dan of the invitation, and to get him to fix a date for them to accept it.
He found that his mother and Phyllis had gone into Robertson Street to do some shopping, and Dan was at work on Uncle Robert’s portrait.
Dan threw down his brushes in an ecstasy of delight when he heard the news.
“Of course I will go!” he cried. “What do you think! The chance of my lifetime! I shall get Miss Le Breton for my Madonna yet!”