Very soon he told them all about himself with an air of the most engaging frankness. He was an only son; his father had died some five years ago, leaving him a snug little fortune. “By that I don’t mean that I am what would be called a rich man, just decently well off,” was his comment on this particular announcement, “always sure of comfort, now and then a few luxuries.”
On their side, the two girls were equally communicative. Alma Buckley did not suffer from false shame. She made no attempt to conceal her humble origin, she used no camouflage about the status of the defunct builder, she frankly avowed her profession.
Miss Larchester told the truth about herself and her position, letting her father down as lightly as possible. A man like Darcy could not fail to see the difference between the two women, he said as much to her one day when they were alone.
“Miss Buckley is an awfully good sort, one can see that with half an eye,” he remarked.
“She is a darling,” cried Lettice enthusiastically, “and my only friend in the world.”
Darcy took her hand in his own. “No, you must not say that. We met in a very unconventional manner certainly, but that does not matter as we know all about each other now. I hope you feel you have another friend in me. But what I really wanted to say was this, and, of course, you are as aware of it as I am. You are of quite a different class from her.”
The acquaintance, begun casually on board the boat, ripened with amazing rapidity into friendship, swiftly into love on the part of the young man and also of Lettice Larchester.
Alma Buckley, who had no real experience of the world, although perhaps she was just a little more sophisticated than her friend, looked on approvingly. Darcy was a gentleman, a man of culture and refinement, he had plenty of money. It would be an ideal match for Lettice, and the girl was as much in love with him as he was with her.
The visit prolonged itself to six weeks instead of the four originally contemplated, and at the end of that time Alma Buckley returned to her flat alone. George Darcy and Lettice Larchester were married in Paris, and started on their honeymoon the day before she left for England.