“Before we go farther I ought to know—perhaps her father’s death has brought about some change—between her and you?”
“No change at all. We were pledged to each other two years ago without any opposition from him. I cannot say that he ever gave his formal consent.”
“But it was all broken off—I heard as much from him—by mutual consent.”
“It was never broken off. I saw what was coming, and I remained perfectly quiet on the subject, and advised Miss Chester to do the same.”
“Ah! and he was taken in!” the lawyer said.
This brought the colour to Langton’s face.
“I am not aware that there was any taking in in the case. I knew that agitation was dangerous for him. It was better for us to wait, at our age, than to have the self-reproach afterwards.” This was all true, yet it was embarrassing to say.
“I see,” said Mr. Babington; “a waiting game doesn’t always recommend itself to the lookers-on, Dr. Langton. It might have lasted for years.”
“I did not think,” said Langton hastily, “that it could have lasted for weeks. He has lived longer than I expected.”
“And you were there at one side of him, and his daughter at the other, waiting. I think I’d rather not have my daughter engaged to a doctor, meaning no disrespect to you.”