"I am serving my old friend, and I am helping the lady who is soon to be his wife." Anne rose abruptly to her feet, and amazed him by a very unexpected question.
"Mr.Brinkworth," she said, "forgive me the rudeness of something I am about to say to you.

When are you going away ?" Arnold burst out laughing.
"When I am quite sure I can do nothing more to assist you," he answered.
"Pray don't think of _me_ any longer." "In your situation! who else am I to think of ?" Anne laid her hand earnestly on his arm, and answered: "Blanche!" "Blanche ?" repeated Arnold, utterly at a loss to understand her.
"Yes--Blanche.

She found time to tell me what had passed between you this morning before I left Windygates.

I know you have made her an offer: I know you are engaged to be married to her." Arnold was delighted to hear it.

He had been merely unwilling to leave her thus far.