Stafford's marriage still hanging
fire. Silly girl! What's she waiting for, in the name of conscience?"
Lois looked up from her duties at the table.
"They have been engaged over a year," she said.
"As long as we have been engaged and married," he answered with an
affectionate smile. "How long is that, little woman? About eighteen
months, eh? They don't either of them seem in much of a hurry."
He went on reading, only stretching out his hand mechanically as she
brought him his second cup of tea. Lois remained at his side, her eyes
fixed thoughtfully, almost hungrily, on the torn envelope which lay on
the floor at his feet.
"Why did you call Beatrice Cary a silly girl?" she asked at last. "It
never struck me that she was silly."
"She wasn't, but she will be if she doesn't hold Stafford fast."
A shadow passed over the face still turned to the floor.
"Is Stafford--so--so desirable?"
"His money is, dear child, and the Carys may need money in the near
future."
"I thought they were rich?"
"Their money is in the mine."
"But the mine is to be successful?"
He smiled in good-natured amusement at her persistency.
"Have you ever heard of a mine that wasn't to be successful? If you
wait a moment, I will tell you the latest news. Here's a note from the
Rajah."
He tore open the large square envelope, and went on reading with the
same idle interest. "There's been an accident with the blasting," he
observed casually.
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