‘Has my staying caused you any trouble?’ he asked in a whisper. ‘Where is your brother this morning?’
She smiled through her perplexity as she took his hand. ‘The oddest things happen to me, dear Swithin,’ she said. ‘Do you wish particularly to know what has happened now?’
‘Yes, if you don’t mind telling me.’
‘I do mind telling you. But I must. Among other things I am resolving to give way to your representations,—in part, at least. It will be best to tell the Bishop everything, and my brother, if not other people.’
‘I am truly glad to hear it, Viviette,’ said he cheerfully. ‘I have felt for a long time that honesty is the best policy.’
‘I at any rate feel it now. But it is a policy that requires a great deal of courage!’
‘It certainly requires some courage,—I should not say a great deal; and indeed, as far as I am concerned, it demands less courage to speak out than to hold my tongue.’
‘But, you silly boy, you don’t know what has happened. The Bishop has made me an offer of marriage.’
‘Good gracious, what an impertinent old man! What have you done about it, dearest?’
‘Well, I have hardly accepted him,’ she replied, laughing. ‘It is this event which has suggested to me that I should make my refusal a reason for confiding our situation to him.’