Listening to her, looking at her, Dr. Arthur thought that extremely likely.
'And did he tell you Charteris wanted it?' he said.
'O yes,and that, perhaps, Mr. Rollo might.'
'But he did not know that he was playing into my hands, in letting you have it?' Rollo enquired.
'Of course not! I merely told him I wanted it more than Mr. Rollo, and would give more than Mr. Charteris.'
'Witchcraft!when all's done,' said Dr. Arthur. 'Dane, when your independent power is in the market, let me know.'He followed them into the red room, and took a cup of coffee there, standing; but then went off at once to see some patient, promising to call for Rollo on his way home.
And for once Wych Hazel would have been quite willing to have him stay. 'What would her "other guardian" say to her, for such meddling in his affairs? such tampering with masculine business?' She retreated behind her salver, and sat there sugaring Mr. Rollo's empty cup, but not counting the lumps this time. Rollo however hardly justified her fears. He did come and sit own beside her, and he did relieve her hand of the sugar tongs and kiss it, and from there the kiss did come to her lips; but it was all done so gently and gracefully and deferentially, as if he had been a knight and she a lady of olden time.
'How am I going to thank you, Wych?' he said.
'There is never a good way of doing needless things.'
'No. But hardly anything at this moment could have given me equal satisfaction. The way is cleared for me to work without hindrance. I'll plant the banks with wych hazel!'