“No, I suppose not,” she answered dejectedly, scarcely knowing what to say.
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. The same clerk who had attended to Dinah came in to state that the head of a contemporary firm wished to see Mr. Rosen on important business.
Dinah jumped up and drew on her gloves, thinking she had taken up enough of her brother-in-law’s valuable time. Mike flicked the ash off his cigar.
“Well, I will have a serious conversation with David when he returns,” he said, as the clerk withdrew. “And if I can see my way to promote him, I will do so, for your sake, little girl. Anyway, I’ll give you all your house-furniture for a wedding-present, and a handsome cheque besides. So keep your pecker up, Di; I’ll see you through.”
Then, with a hasty farewell, he ordered the clerk to call a hansom and pay the driver. Dinah appreciated the attention, and quite enjoyed her free ride home. She was delighted with the result of her mission, for she knew that her brother-in-law would be as good as his word.
As for Mike, he went home and told his wife everything; and, as usual, asked her advice. Adeline hemmed and hawed, and cross-questioned her spouse until he marvelled at the shrewdness of womankind. Finally she said—
“Di won’t be happy till she gets him, Mike. We had better let her have him, and between us all we’ll manage to keep him straight.”
And so it was, that within the next fortnight the engagement between Dinah Friedberg and David Salmon was formally announced.
CHAPTER XIV
“THE VOICE OF THE CHARMER;” AND AN UNEXPECTED MEETING
It was a Sunday afternoon in November. Outside, a grey mist hung over streets and squares, filling the air with unpleasant dampness; but inside—in this particular St. John’s Wood drawing-room, at least—there was warmth and comfort. The lamps under their crimson shades combined with the crackling fire to generate a cheerful light and heat, the pleasant effect of which was heightened by the clink of tea-cups and the buzz of human voices.