Then he knew his remarks were vague and disconnected.
It was a relief to plunge into the business he had come about.
"I had better tell you that I am going to ask Helen to marry me," he said.
Mrs.Dalton did not look surprised, and he thought Miss Graham smiled.
Perhaps he had been abrupt, but he did not care.
"You have done what is proper in warning my sister first," Miss Graham remarked; but Mrs.Dalton was silent for a few moments.
"You imply that Helen doesn't know," she said.
"She does not; I've been careful not to give her a hint," Festing declared.

"I was afraid to alarm her by, so to speak, rushing things.
You're not used to it in England." Miss Graham's amusement was plainer.

"The caution you exercised must have cost you something." "After all, you haven't known Helen long," Mrs.Dalton resumed.
"That's so, in a way, but five minutes was long enough.

I knew I'd never marry anybody else when I saw her in the garden the first day I came." He thought Miss Graham gave him an approving look, but he turned to Mrs.
Dalton.
"I hope you will give your consent; but, of course, if you object, or there's anything you want to ask----" Mrs.Dalton roused herself.

She felt breathless, as if she had been carried along at an unusual pace.
"To begin with," she said quietly, "I cannot object to you.