"Do you think you could yet persuade her to marry you?"
Gervase blushed, and walked to the window and looked out into the courtyard.
"Girls are such curious things," he muttered, evasively. "You never know when you have them."
"I can't help thinking you played your cards badly, Gervase. She seemed to idolise you when she came to Trewinion, and looked forward so eagerly to your return."
"The mistake was in not marrying her right off when we met at Washington. She would have said 'yes' like a shot, for she was awfully gone on me. She adored soldiers at that time, and regarded me as a hero."
Sir Charles heaved a sigh and remained silent for several moments.
"Would you mind letting me see her letter to you?" he questioned, at length.
"Sorry, father, but—but—I've destroyed it," he blurted out, awkwardly. This was not the truth, but he wouldn't for the world that his father should read what she said to him.
"Destroyed it? What did you do that for?" Sir Charles asked, suspiciously.