"I—I don't want to go away," said Joan after a long pause.
Mr. Vyner took two more steps.
"I'm so fond of Salthaven," added Joan hastily.
"So am I," said Robert. "It seems to me that we have a lot of ideas in common. Don't you think it would simplify matters if you stayed at Salthaven and married me?"
Joan eyed him gravely. "I don't think it would simplify matters with your father," she said, slowly.
Mr. Vyner's fourth and last step took him to her chair.
"Is that your only objection?" he murmured, bending over her.
"I might think of others—in time," said Joan.
Mr. Vyner bent a little lower, but so slowly that Miss Hartley was compelled to notice it. She got up suddenly and confronted him. He took both her hands in his, but so gently that she offered no resistance.
"That is a bargain," he said, trying to steady his voice. "I will soon arrange matters with my father."