"Yes."

A moment later Peter was shaking hands with Watts.

"This is nice of you. Quite like old times. Will you smoke?"

"No. But please yourself. I've something to talk about."

"Fire away."

"Watts, I want to try and win the love of your little girl."

"Dear old man," cried Watts, "there isn't any one in God's earth whom I
would rather see her choose, or to whom I would sooner trust her."

"Thank you, Watts," said Peter, gratefully. "Watts is weak, but he is a
good fellow," was his mental remark. Peter entirely forgot his opinion
of two weeks ago. It is marvellous what a change a different point of
view makes in most people.

"But if I give you my little Dot, you must promise me one thing."

"What is that?"

"That you will never tell her? Ah! Peter, if you knew how I love the
little woman, and how she loves me. From no other man can she learn what
will alter that love. Don't make my consent bring us both suffering?"

"Watts, I give my word she shall never know the truth from me."

"God bless you, Peter. True as ever. Then that is settled. You shall
have a clear field and every chance."

"I fear not. There's something more. Mrs. D'Alloi won't pardon that
incident--nor do I blame her. I can't force my presence here if she does
not give her consent. It would be too cruel, even if I could hope to
succeed in spite of her. I want to see her this morning. You can tell
better than I whether you had best speak to her first, or whether I
shall tell her."

"H'm. That is a corker, isn't it? Don't you think you had better let
things drift?"

"No. I'm not going to try and win a girl's love behind the mother's
back. Remember, Watts, the mother is the only one to whom a girl can go
at such a time. We mustn't try to take advantage of either."

"Well, I'll speak to her, and do my best. Then I'll send her to you.
Help yourself to the tobacco if you get tired of waiting _tout seul_."

Watts went upstairs and knocked at a door. "Yes," said a voice. Watts
put his head in. "Is my Rosebud so busy that she can't spare her lover a
few moments?"

"Watts, you know I live for you."

Watts dropped down on the lounge. "Come here, then, like a loving little
wife, and let me say my little say."

No woman nearing forty can resist a little tenderness in her husband,
and Mrs. D'Alloi snuggled up to Watts in the pleasantest frame of mind.
Watts leaned over and kissed her cheek. Then Mrs. D'Alloi snuggled some
more.

"Now, I