over her.

"I'd do it for them and their wives and their children and their
children's children."

He sat down again in confusion at having been led into hyperbole. But he
took her shoulders in his huge but kindly hands, somewhat to her
alarm--for, in her world, she was not accustomed to gigantic males
laying unceremonious hold of her--

"All I wanted to convey to you, my dear girl, is this--that if Adrian's
wife won't look on me as a true friend, I'm ready to go away and cut my
throat"

Doria smiled at him with pretty civility and assured him of her
willingness to admit him into her inner circle of friends; whereupon he
caught up his pouch and pipe and lumbered down the terrace towards us,
shouting out his news.

"I've fixed it up with Doria"--he turned his head--"I can call you
Doria, can't I?" She nodded permission--what else could she do? "We're
going to be friends. And I say, Barbara, they'll want a wedding-present.
What shall I give 'em? What would you like?"

The latter question was levelled direct at Doria, who had followed
demurely in his footsteps. But it was not answered; for from the
drawing-room there emerged Franklin, the butler, who marched up straight
to Jaffery.

"A lady to see you, sir"