"I believe you," I said, "but it looks as though there might be something in what I suggest."
"It does," he answered.
"Have you written to her?"
He tapped me once more with the poker.
"No, and if I did she'd never get the letter. I know my cousin, Mrs. O'Callaghan. She thinks all the St. Alleynes are a bad lot, because, I suppose, my grandfather was a wild devil once. That's where I have to suffer for my name."
"But you could convince her otherwise, I suppose?"
"I'd undertake to do it, if I were sure of Norah."
I knocked the ashes from my pipe and stood up. The situation interested me; my own happiness was so near that I was prepared to do a great deal for my friend.
"Well," I said, "suppose I go over with you, how am I to help?"
He rose and stood by my side, putting his right arm round my shoulder. He was quite his old cheerful self again.