"I am going for a year's travel, and I want to marry Lucy, and take her
with me."

Then he asked, "Have you spoken to my daughter on the subject of
marriage?"

"I want your permission in order to gain hers."

"Does she know that you love her?"

"I have not told her so. I ask that you take me now to your home that I
may speak to her this hour."

Lugur made no further remark, until they reached the schoolmaster's
house. Then he said, "There is a light, as you may see, in the
right-hand room; Lucy is there. Tell her I gave you permission to call
on her. Leave the door of the room open; I shall be in the room opposite
to it. You may remain an hour if you wish to do so. Leave at once if
your visit troubles Lucy." Then with a cold smile he added, "I am her
only cicerone, you see. She has no mother. You will remember _that_, Mr.
Hatton." As he spoke, he was looking for his latch-key and using it.
There was a lamp in the hall, and he silently indicated the door of the
room in which Lucy was sitting. At the same moment he opened a door
opposite and struck a light. Seeing Hatton waiting, he continued, "You
have already introduced yourself--go in--the door is open."

He stood still a moment and listened to the faint flutter of Lucy's
movement, and the joyous note in her voice as she welcomed her lover.
With a sigh, he then turned to a table piled with papers and slates and
apparently gave himself up to the duty they entailed.