I am to abandon my friendship with a most charmingââ
He fairly sprang to grip her wrist and jerk her close to him. âDo you think I say such things lightly? Pay heed to me, little elf. If I catch him trying to fix his interest with youââ
âFix ⦠his interest? Butâbut you have said I am too young to be thinking of such things.â
He released her, took up his quill pen, and stared down at it. âIâer, had supposed you to beâso. But, I have come to think I wasâmistaken.â
Unutterably shocked, she studied his averted profile. âDo you sayâmy arguments have at last won you over, dear sir?â
For possibly the first time in his life, Devenish began to tidy his desk. âThat,â he mumbled, âandâand other things.â
Instinctively, her hand went to her bosom.
âNo, no!â he said. Then, scarlet, added, âWellâI meant, what others said of itâI meanâof your probable age.â
âI see. Thenâyou think I am of an age toâto receive offers?â She waited for a denial, but none came. Her heart sinking, she went on, âIn which case you should perhaps give me a list ofâof acceptable gentlemen, so that I may notâdisgrace you further.â
The paper he held was crushed convulsively. âFor Lordâs sake! As if you have done so!â
âButâyou just saidâ¦â
âOh. Fontaine. Yesâwell, his pretensions you must certainly depress.â His jaw set. âOr I will! As for the restââ
She returned to stand very closely before him and prompt meekly, âYes, Papa?â
Reluctantly, he looked down into her upturned, trusting little face. His own softened. He said, âYou roast me, you vixen. You know very well.â
âI am confused,â she said with a sigh. âTo have been sixteen this morning, and one and twenty this afternoon isâunsettling. As always, I need your guidance dearestâancient.â
He wrenched away again and said disjointedly, âHow may I know who you willâlike. There are many fine young fellas your own age. That nice Van Lindsay boy; or Freddie Hilby. Orâwhat about young Drummond? OrâLyon? Now, thereâs aââ
Josie had retreated to the window during this summation, and now interrupted, âSo you have heard of Johnâs attentions to me.â
A pause. Then he said coolly, âNo. Heâlikes you, does he?â
âHe says he does. And I like him. Very much.â
âOh.â He leaned back against the desk, watching his wardâs slender but shapely figure outlined against the window. Josie and John Drummond ⦠âWell then,â he said heartily, âthat should do very nicely, Iâd think.â
She whirled and flew to stand before him, crouching a little, her eyes blazing.
Startled, he drew back.
âHorrid! Evil man!â she hissed.
âN-NowâJosieâyou have plagued me toâto admit you are older. And you said you liked the boy, andââ
âAnd of a sudden you can scarce wait to push me to the altar, can you! You cannot wait to be rid of yourâyour encumbrance!â
âEncumbrance, is it!â But her lip trembled; he saw the glitter of tears and, groaning, pulled her into his arms and, stroking her hair, murmured, âMy little elfâhow can you even think such stuff?â
âB-because,â she sobbed, âI know whatâwhat a trial Iâve been to you.â
âNever!â He put her from him, smiling into her tear-wet eyes. âYou were never naughty, or sulked, or went into tantrums. Or very seldom. How I shall go on withoutâ¦â He frowned, and stopped, wondering why he was saying such things when he had determined to behave quite differently.
âI am so glad, Dev,â she said, hugging him tight. âThen we may go on comfortably. Just as we
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