ks at home?" said Mr. Dosson. "Don't
you believe that. Delia has moused around--SHE has found out. Delia's
thorough!"

"Well, we're very simple kindly respectable people, as you'll see in a
day or two for yourself. My father and sisters will do themselves the
honour to wait upon you," the young man announced with a temerity the
sense of which made his voice tremble.

"We shall be very happy to see them, sir," his host cheerfully returned.
"Well now, let's see," the good gentleman socially mused. "Don't you
expect to embrace any regular occupation?"

Gaston smiled at him as from depths. "Have YOU anything of that sort,
sir?"

"Well, you have me there!" Mr. Dosson resignedly sighed. "It doesn't
seem as if I required anything, I'm looked after so well. The fact is
the girls support me."

"I shall not expect Miss Francie to support me," said Gaston Probert.

"You're prepared to enable her to live in the style to which she's
accustomed?" And his friend turned on him an eye as of quite patient
speculation.

"Well, I don't think she'll miss anything. That is if she does she'll
find other things instead."

"I presume she'll miss Delia, and even me a little," it occurred to Mr.
Dosson to mention.

"Oh it's easy to prevent that," the young man threw off.

"Well, of course we shall be on hand." After which Mr. Dosson continued
to follow the subject as at the same respectful distance. "You'll
continue to reside in Paris?"

"I'll live anywhere in the world she likes. Of course my people are
here--that's a great tie. I'm not without hope that it may--with
time--become a reason for your daughter," Gaston handsomely wound up.

"Oh any reason'll do where Paris is concerned. Take some lunch?" Mr.
Dosson added, looking at his watch.

They rose to their feet, but before they had gone many steps--the meals
of this amiable family were now served in an adjoining room--the young
man stopped his companion. "I can't tell you how kind I think it--the
way you treat me, and how I'm touched by your confidence. You take me
just as I am, with no recommendation beyond my own word."

"Well, Mr. Probert," said his host, "if we didn't like you we wouldn't
smile on you. Recommendations in that case wouldn't be any good. And
since we do like you there ain't any call for them either. I trust my
daughters; if I didn't I'd have stayed at home. And if I trust them, and
they trust you, it's the same as if _I_ trusted you, ain't it?"

"I guess