He was prompt to allay it.
"She shall have that assurance this very evening," he promised.
"I at least have not pledged my word to anything or to any one.

Even so," he added slowly, "the chances of my services being ever required grow more slender every day.

Una may be full of premonitions about Dick.
But between premonition and event there is something of a gap." Again a pause, and then: "I am glad," said Miss Armytage, "to think that Una has a friend, a trustworthy friend, upon whom she can depend.

She is so incapable of depending upon herself.

All her life there has been some one at hand to guide her and screen her from unpleasantness until she has remained just a sweet, dear child to be taken by the hand in every dark lane of life." "But she has you, Miss Armytage." "Me ?" Miss Armytage spoke deprecatingly.