Thinking that I might be de trop I
withdrew, and left the young people to settle it among themselves,
which they have apparently done! I am, like yourself, a great
advocate for allowing young people to settle things among
themselves. They are also welcome to their enjoyment of the
consequences so far as I am concerned."
"But Millicent was never engaged to Guy Oscard."
"Did she tell you so?" asked Sir John, with a queer smile.
"Yes."
"And you believed her?"
"Of course--and you?"
Sir John smiled his courtliest smile.
"I always believe a lady," he answered, "before her face. Mr. Guy
Oscard gave it out in Africa that he was engaged to be married, and
he even declared that he was returning home to be married. Jack did
the same in every respect. Unfortunately there was only one fond
heart waiting for the couple of them at home. That is why I thought
it expedient to give the young people an opportunity of settling it
between themselves."
The smile left his worn old face. He moved uneasily and walked to
the fireplace, where he stood with his unsteady hands moving idly,
almost nervously, among the ornaments on the mantelpiece. He
committed the rare discourtesy of almost turning his back upon a
lady.
"I must ask you to believe," he said, looking anywhere but at her,
"that I did not forget you in the matter.
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