very rude to show it so plainly.''

``No,'' replied he. ``I am not impatient for you to go. But I
ought to be, for I'm very busy.''

``Well, I shall be gone in a moment. I came only to tell you
that you are suspecting me wrongly.''

``Suspecting you?--of what?''

``Of having broken my word. I know you must think I got father
to set Davy Hull on to upsetting your plans.''

``The idea never entered my head,'' said he. ``You had
promised--and I know you are honest.''

Jane colored violently and lowered her eyes. ``I'm not--not up
to what you say,'' she protested. ``But at least I didn't break
my promise. Davy thought of that himself.''

``I have been assuming so.''

``And you didn't suspect me?''

``Not for an instant,'' Victor assured her. ``Davy simply made
the move that was obviously best for him.''

``And now he will be elected,'' said Jane regretfully.

``It looks that way,'' replied Victor. And he had the air of one