I'll not
hold her to that girlhood bargain. That would be unfair. But, if
you'll permit me, I'll go in and win her as she is to-day--if I can."
She smiled at his ardor. "I hope you may win, David. But you must win
for yourself. Do not look to me for help. She must decide for
herself."
He did not refer to the young man who had taken her away in the cab.
Mrs. Braddock noted this and was not slow to divine the well-bred
restraint that lay behind the omission.
"That was young Stanfield," she observed. "He is delightful. My father
is devoted to him,"
David smiled. "I hope to have the pleasure of meeting him soon."
"You may meet to-night."
If she expected to see a trace of annoyance in his face, she was
disappointed. He gracefully confessed his interest in the prospective
meeting.
"I shall be more than delighted to come," he said.
"And I am glad he will be there to engage Christine's attention while
I devote myself to you, Mrs. Braddock."
"You nice boy!"
She extended her hand. "I must not keep my father waiting out there.
You don't know how glad I am that you are here, David.
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