Part 40 (1/2)

Ordinarily self possessed, never at a loss for a word or embarra.s.sed, Anthony Trent stood there dumb and looked at her.

”Oh Tony, Tony!” she cried.

Immensely gratified, Simpkins beheld the American gather her to him.

Honest Simpkins had tears in his eyes. He went from the room blindly, his mission unaccomplished. He had seen Love so near to him that he was dazzled.

It was in Daphne's own sitting room facing St. James' Park that they were able to talk coherently. ”Why do you suddenly look so grave on this morning of all mornings in my life?” she asked tenderly.

”Darling,” he said, ”I can't keep on living in this doubt any longer.

You know what I said in Cornwall?”

”That's so long ago. I forget. Exactly what did my wise Tony say? I only remember that he said he loved me.”

”I shall always say that,” he said softly. ”Daphne, I must not go on deluding myself any longer. I ought not to have seen you. It was only because your father was courteous and I was weak that I came.”

”You have seen father?” she cried.

”Last night,” he told her. ”I was with him for an hour. He was very kind.”

”Did he tell you about Arthur?”

”He said he was going to be married.”

She looked at her Tony with a smile he could not understand. There was certainty in it content, a.s.surance. It was as though there were no barriers that kept him from her.

”My wise Tony,” she said, ”there is much for you to learn. Let us leave Grosvenor Place and go to Australia in the first place.”