"Of course; you’ve been very charming to us. As for Christine, we care a great deal for her—very sincerely and deeply, Mr. Rivett." "What about Jack?" asked Mr. Rivett casually. A slight tinge of color rose and spread in the girl’s pretty cheeks. "Everybody likes Jack," she said briefly. "Do _you_?" "Certainly." "That’s what I wanted to find out. That’s why I asked you to come here." The girl looked at him, startled, incredulous of her own hearing. "I don’t understand," she said. "Then I’ll be plainer. Jack has told me that he wishes to marry you." The crimson stained her from throat to temple, but she rose with perfect self-possession. "I think," she said quietly, "that this severs our business relations." "Not unless you wish it." "I do wish it." "Why?" "Because I warned Jack that one word of this matter to you would mean my leaving Adriutha." "Why?" "Because I am employed here by you, and Jack is your son," she said coldly. "Do you mean to leave us?" "I must." "You need not." "You are very kind, but my service is of no further value." "I ask you to remain," he said slowly. "You have already rendered me service I could never pay for. I ask you to remain with us—as our guest, if you must; as Jack’s betrothed, if you will." She flushed again, brightly, astonished. "But—but I don’t—I am not in love—with Jack!" she stammered. "He knows it. I have told him so.... I like him immensely.... he is a dear boy—generous, clever, charming, considerate.... I never liked any man better.... But I _don’t_ love him, Mr. Rivett." "That’s up to him, isn’t it?" asked Rivett dryly. "I can’t make you love my boy; neither can his mother. Mothers can do most things. Probably Jack is young enough to think she can make you love him; but I can’t help that, Miss Tennant. All I can do is to ask you to remain.... And to say—that if you ever come to care for Jack, my only boy, his mother will welcome you as our daughter—and so will I." Then Silvette did a curious thing. She sat down at Mr. Rivett’s desk and bent her head over the blotter, and sat so, with her small handkerchief against her eyes. There was not a sound from her nor from Mr. Rivett. For a long while she sat there, finally burying her face in her handkerchief and both hands. Mr. Rivett bent over her presently. "Silvette?" She merely nodded in sign that she had heard him. He said quietly: "You _are_ in love with Jack." She sat motionless. "Your loyalty to honor deceived a very gentle heart," he said; "you loved him all the time." [Illustration: "’Your loyalty to honor deceived a very gentle heart,’ he said."] She made no sign, no movement.