“Ah,” said Festing, “I don’t know if she loves me yet!”

Muriel’s eyes twinkled.  “That is something you must find out for yourself.  But perhaps I have said enough.”

She went back to the house and Festing sat still in the gathering dark.  He had made up his mind and felt encouraged, but he saw difficulties that must be met.

Next day he went to the Scar and found that Helen was not at home, but Mrs. Dalton and her sister received him, and for a time he talked about things that did not matter.  It was dull and damp outside, and a bright wood fire burned in the grate.  The low-ceilinged room was very warm, its comfort seemed enervating, and he felt braced as he thought of the windswept prairie.  Then he knew his remarks were vague and disconnected.  It was a relief to plunge into the business he had come about.

“I had better tell you that I am going to ask Helen to marry me,” he said.

Mrs. Dalton did not look surprised, and he thought Miss Graham smiled.  Perhaps he had been abrupt, but he did not care.

“You have done what is proper in warning my sister first,” Miss Graham remarked; but Mrs. Dalton was silent for a few moments.

“You imply that Helen doesn’t know,” she said.

“She does not; I’ve been careful not to give her a hint,” Festing declared.  “I was afraid to alarm her by, so to speak, rushing things.  You’re not used to it in England.”

Miss Graham’s amusement was plainer.  “The caution you exercised must have cost you something.”

“After all, you haven’t known Helen long,” Mrs. Dalton resumed.

“That’s so, in a way, but five minutes was long enough.  I knew I’d never marry anybody else when I saw her in the garden the first day I came.”

He thought Miss Graham gave him an approving look, but he turned to Mrs. Dalton.

“I hope you will give your consent; but, of course, if you object, or there’s anything you want to ask——­”

Mrs. Dalton roused herself.  She felt breathless, as if she had been carried along at an unusual pace.

“To begin with,” she said quietly, “I cannot object to you.  We know something about your character; you helped my son, helped him more than you perhaps thought.  But there is something I must ask.”  She hesitated and then resumed:  “You have seen the life Helen leads with us.  She has never had to use much self-denial.  What have you to offer her in Canada?”

“Not much.  In fact, that’s partly why I came first to you.  I felt you should be warned; that’s really what I meant.”

“You are honest,” Miss Graham interposed.  “You want my sister’s approval, but don’t think it essential.”

Festing looked at Mrs. Dalton.  “If you refused, I wouldn’t be altogether daunted.  I might wait, but that is all.  This is a matter Helen must decide.”

“Yes.  All the same, it is my duty to guard her from a possible mistake.”