‘One word,’ said Earwaker, soberly.  ’We have heard before of men who waited for girls to grow up.  Be cautious, my dear fellow, both on your own account and hers.’

’My dear Earwaker!  Don’t imagine for a moment that I take it for granted she will get to be fond of me.  My attitude is one of the most absolute discretion.  You must have observed how I behaved to them all—­scrupulous courtesy, I trust; no more familiarity than any friend might be permitted.  I should never dream of addressing the girls without ceremonious prefix—­never!  I talk of Bella’s education, but be assured that I regard my own as a matter of quite as much importance.  I mean, that I shall strive incessantly to make myself worthy of her.  No laxity!  For these next three years I shall live as becomes a man who has his eyes constantly on a high ideal—­ the pure and beautiful girl whom he humbly hopes to win for a wife.’

The listener was moved.  He raised his wine-glass to conceal the smile which might have been misunderstood.  In his heart he felt more admiration than had yet mingled with his liking for this strange fellow.

‘And Mrs. Jacox herself,’ pursued Malkin; ’she has her weaknesses, as we all have.  I don’t think her a very strong-minded woman, to tell the truth.  But there’s a great deal of goodness in her.  If there’s one thing I desire in people, it is the virtue of gratitude, and Mrs Jacox is grateful almost to excess for the paltry exertions I have made on her behalf.  You know that kind of thing costs me nothing; you know I like running about and getting things done.  But the poor woman imagines that I have laid her under an eternal obligation.  Of course I shall show her in time that it was nothing at all; that she might have done just as much for herself if she had known how to go about it.’

Earwaker was musing, a wrinkle of uneasiness at the corner of his eye.

’She isn’t the kind of woman, you know, one can regard as a mother.  But we are the best possible friends.  She may, perhaps, think of me as a possible son-in-law.  Poor thing; I hope she does.  Perhaps it will help to put her mind at rest about the girls.’

‘Then shall you often be down at Wrotham?’ inquired the journalist, abstractedly.

’Oh, not often—­that is to say, only once a month or so, just to look in.  I wanted to ask you:  do you think I might venture to begin a correspondence with Bella?’

‘M—­m—­m!  I can’t say.’

’It would be so valuable, you know.  I could suggest books for her reading; I could help her in her study of politics, and so on.’

’Well, think about it.  But be cautious, I beg of you.  Now I must be off.  Only just time enough to get my traps to the station.’

’I’ll come with you.  Gare du Nord?  Oh, plenty of time, plenty of time!  Nothing so abominable as waiting for trains.  I make a point of never getting to the station more than three minutes before time.  Astonishing what one can do in three minutes!  I want to tell you about an adventure I had in Boston.  Met a fellow so devilish like Peak that I couldn’t believe it wasn’t he himself.  I spoke to him, but he swore that he knew not the man.  Never saw such a likeness!’