"Why don't you speak to her? A woman never thinks any better of a man for being diffident in such matters."
"You think not? But you see Vera is——"
"Vera is very much like all other women, I suppose; and you are not versed in the ways of the sex."
Sir John demurred in his own mind as to the first part of her speech. Vera was certainly not like other women; but then he acknowledged the truth of Mrs. Romer's last remark thoroughly.
"No, I dare say I don't know much about women's ways," he admitted; "and you think——"
"I think that Vera would be glad enough to be married as soon as she can. An engagement is a trying ordeal. One is glad enough to get settled down. What is the use of waiting when once everything is arranged?"
Sir John flushed a little. The prospect of a speedy marriage was pleasant to him. It was what he had been secretly longing for—only that, in his slow way, he had not yet been able to suggest it.
"Do you really think she would like it?" he asked, earnestly.
"Of course she would; any woman would."
"And how long do you think the preparations would take?"