"A gentleman to see you, Bessie."
Her heart did not leap up as before, and she did not rise with her former alacrity, but Alick Gell came into the room like a rush of wind.
"What's this—unwell?" he cried.
"It's nothing! I shall be better in the morning," she said.
"Of course you will."
And then, after a kiss, Gell sat on a low stool at Bessie's feet, stretched his long legs towards the fire, and began to pour out his story.
He had seen Stowell and the matter had turned out just as she had expected. Splendid fellow! Best chap in the world, bar none!
"But what do you think, Bess? The most extraordinary coincidence! Dear old Vic, he has been busy falling in love, too! Fact! Fenella Stanley, daughter of the Governor! Magnificent girl, and Vic is madly in love with her! So there's to be no heart-breaking on either side, and that's the best of it. Makes one think there must be something in Providence, doesn't it?"
He was laughing so loud that the china in the room rang, but Bessie was turning cold with terror.
"And .... what about your father?" she faltered.