 that it fully comes to me at present that I've kept
you long enough. I know by this time, at any rate, what I meant by my speech;
and I really knew it the night of Chad's dinner.«
    »Then why didn't you tell me?«
    »Because it was difficult at the moment. I had already at that moment done
something for you, in the sense of what I had said the day I went to see you;
but I wasn't then sure of the importance I might represent this as having.«
    She was all eagerness. »And you're sure now?«
    »Yes; I see that, practically, I've done for you - had done for you when you
put me your question - all that it's as yet possible to me to do. I feel now,«
he went on, »that it may go further than I thought. What I did after my visit to
you,« he explained, »was to write straight off to Mrs. Newsome about you, and
I'm at last, from one day to the other, expecting her answer. It's this answer
that will represent, as I believe, the consequences.«
    Patient and beautiful was her interest. »I see - the consequences of your
speaking for me.« And she waited as if not to hustle him.
    He acknowledged it by immediately going on. »The question, you understand,
was how I should save you. Well, I'm trying it by thus letting her know that I
consider you worth saving.«
    »I see - I see.« Her eagerness broke through.
    »How can I thank you enough?« He couldn't tell her that, however, and she
quickly pursued. »You do really, for yourself, consider it?«
    His only answer at first was to help her to the dish that had been freshly
put before them. »I've written to her again since then - I've left her in no
doubt of what I think. I've told her all about you.«
    »Thanks - not so much. All about me,« she went on - »yes.«
    »All it seems to me you've done for him.«
    »Ah and you might have added all it seems to me!« She laughed again, while
she took up her knife and fork, as in the cheer of these assurances. »But you're
not sure how she
