Gerald thought it time to change the conversation.
"Do you come in contact at all with Van Duren?" he said to Byrne.
"We have seen more of him to-day than we saw yesterday, and more of him yesterday than previously. He is gradually learning to overcome the native bashfulness of his disposition," added Byrne, with a sneer.
"Then he has not shrouded himself altogether from view?" said Gerald.
"Not a bit of it. What he would have done had I been living here with a wife instead of a daughter, I can't say. But the fact is, he seems inclined to admire Miriam."
The old man sat staring at Gerald with a twinkle in his eye, as he finished speaking.
Gerald was at a loss to know in what way it was expected that he should greet such an item of news. So he merely fell back on a safe, though unmeaning, "Oh, indeed!"
Miriam, gazing into the fire, either had not heard, or did not heed, her father's words.
"For the sort of ursa major that he is," resumed Byrne, "he doesn't conduct himself so much amiss. Has not been much used to ladies' society, I should say. Does not talk much, but likes to look and listen."
"Then you have had him in here!" said Gerald, with surprise.