"True, I forgot." Brett began to walk up and down again. Dolly looked at Vanbrugh and nodded to him with a little smile as though in approval of what he had done. He seemed pleased and grateful. "You must be dreadfully tired," she said. "Do let me give you some tea." "Thanks--I should like some--but some one ought to tell Mrs. Darche. Shall I? Where is she?" "I will tell her," said Brett stopping suddenly. "I will send a message and she will come down to the drawing-room." He went out, leaving Dolly to comfort Vanbrugh with tea, for he was far too much excited to sit down or to listen to their conversation. The whole matter might be more or less indifferent to them, whose lives could not be affected directly by Mrs. Darche's misfortunes, but he felt that his own happiness was in the balance. He knew also that, by the arrangements he had made, John Darche would be brought to the house in the course of the next hour, before being taken back to prison for the night, and it was necessary to warn Marion and to see that the old gentleman was prepared to receive his son. "How about old Mr. Darche?" inquired Dolly, when she and Vanbrugh were left alone. "Every one is sorry for him," said Vanbrugh, "just as every one execrates John. I get very little credit for the defence," he added, with a dry laugh. "How good you are!" exclaimed Dolly. "Am I? It seems to me it was the least I could do." "It will not seem so to every one," said Dolly. "I would do a great deal for Mrs. Darche," said Vanbrugh. "Yes, I know you would. You--you are very fond of her, are you not?" She turned her face away as she asked the question. "I wish to be a good friend to her." "And something more?" suggested Dolly, in a tone of interrogation. "Something more?" repeated Vanbrugh, "I do not understand." "Oh nothing! I thought you did." "Perhaps I did. But I think you are mistaken." "Am I?" Dolly asked, turning her face to him again. "I wish--I mean, I do not think I am." "I am sure you are." "This is a good deal like a puzzle game, is it not?" "No, it is much more serious," said Vanbrugh, speaking gravely. "This is certainly not the time to talk of such things, Miss Maylands. John Darche may come at any moment, and as far as possible his father has been prepared for his coming. But that isn't it. Perhaps I had better say it at once. We have always been such good friends, you know, and I think a great deal of your good opinion, so that I do not wish you to mistake my motives. You evidently think that I am devoted--to say the least of it--to Mrs. Darche. After all, what is the use of choosing words and beat about the bush? You think I am in love with her. I should be very sorry to leave you with that impression--very, very sorry. Do you understand?" Dolly had glanced at him several times while he had been speaking, but when he finished she looked into the fire again. "You were in love with her once?" she said quietly. "Perhaps; how do you know that?"