Part 39 (1/2)

The implication was fairly obvious, and Braybrooke did not miss it, although he was not in possession of his full mental powers.

”Perhaps it is our own fault,” he said. ”But I think we English are often misunderstood.”

As he spoke he shot a rather poignant glance in the direction of f.a.n.n.y Cronin, who had now finished her tea, and was gathering her fur cloak about her as if in preparation for departure.

”In fact,” he added, ”I am sure of it. This very day even--”

He paused, wondering how to put it, yet feeling that he really must at all costs make matters fairly clear to his companion.

”Yes?” said Miss Van Tuyn sweetly.

”To-day, this afternoon, I think that your dear Miss Cronin failed once or twice to grasp my full meaning when I was talking with her.”

”Oh, f.a.n.n.y! But she's an old fool! Of course she's a dear, and I'm very fond of her, but she is essentially nebulous. And what was it that you think she misunderstood?”

Braybrooke hesitated. It really was very difficult to put what he wanted to say into words. Scarcely ever before had he felt himself so incapable of dealing adequately with a socially awkward situation. If only he knew what Miss Cronin had said to Miss Van Tuyn while he was ordering tea!

”I could scarcely say I know. I really could not put my finger upon it,”

he said at last. ”There was a general atmosphere of confusion, or so it seemed to me. We--we discussed marriage.”

”I hope the old dear didn't think you were proposing to her?”

”Good heavens--oh, no! no! I don't quite know what she thought.” (He lowered his eyes.) ”But it wasn't that.”

”That's a mercy at any rate!”

Braybrooke still kept his eyes on the ground, but a dogged look came into his face, and he said, speaking more resolutely:

”I'm afraid I alarmed dear Miss Cronin.”

”How perfectly splendid!” said Miss Van Tuyn.

”She is very fond of you.”

”Much fonder of Bourget!”

”I don't think so,” he said, with emphasis. ”She is so devoted to you that quite inadvertently I alarmed her. After all, we were--we were”--n.o.bly he decided to take the dreadful plunge--”we were two elderly people talking together as elderly people will, I thought quite freely and frankly, and I ventured--do forgive me--to hint that a great many men must wish to marry you; young men suited to you, promising men, men with big futures before them, anxious for a brilliant and beautiful wife.”

”That was very charming and solicitous of you,” said Miss Van Tuyn with a smile. ”But I don't know that they do!”

”Do what?” said Braybrooke, almost losing his head, as he saw the vision in the distance, now cloaked and gloved, rustling in an evident preparation for something, which might be departure or might on the other hand be approach.

She observed him with a definite surprise, which she seemed desirous of showing.

”I was alluding to the promising men,” she said.

”Which men?” asked Braybrooke, still hypnotized by the vision.

”The men with big futures before them who you were kind enough to tell f.a.n.n.y were longing to marry me.”

”Oh, yes!” (With a great effort he pulled himself together.) ”Those men to be sure!”