She looked at him incredulously.  “And yet they were sitting close together,” she said; “so close that at first I did not see her; apparently talking in the most private manner in a very public place.  They surely looked very much like an engaged couple as I have noticed them.  And old Jane has told me that everybody knows she is trying to trap him; and surely there is good reason to believe that she has succeeded.”

Dick shook his head.  “Impossible, Miss Asher,” he said.  “He never would have such a woman.  I know him well enough to be absolutely sure of that.  Of course, he treats her kindly, and perhaps he is sociable with her.  It is his nature to be friendly, and he has known her for a long time.  But marry her!  Never!  I am certain, Miss Asher, he would never do that.”

“I wish I could believe it,” said she.

“I can easily prove it to you,” he said.  “I will take your message to your uncle, I will tell him all you want me to tell him, and then I will ask him, frankly and plainly, about Miss Port.  I do not in the least object to doing it.  I am well enough acquainted with him to know that he is a frank, plain man.  I am sure he will be much amused at your supposition, and angry, too, when I tell him of the way that woman looked at you and so prevented you from stopping when you had come expressly to see him.  Then I will immediately come to Broadstone to relieve your mind in regard to the Maria Port business, and to bring you whatever message your uncle has to send you.”

“No, no,” said Olive, “you must not do that.  It would be too much to come back to-day.  You have relieved my mind somewhat about that woman, and I am perfectly willing to wait until to-morrow, when you can tell me exactly how everything is, and let me know when my uncle would like me to come and see him.  I think it will be better next time not to take him by surprise.  But I would be very, very grateful to you, Mr, Lancaster, if you would come as early in the morning as you can.  I can wait very well until then, now that my mind is easier, but I am afraid that when to-morrow begins I shall be very impatient.  My troubles are always worse in the morning.  But you must not walk.  My uncle has a horse and buggy.  But perhaps it would be better to let Mrs. Easterfield send for you.  I know she will be glad to do it.”

Dick assured her that he did not wish to be sent for; that he would borrow the captain’s horse, and would be at Broadstone as early as was proper to make a visit.

“Proper!” exclaimed Olive.  “In a case like this any time is proper.  In Mrs. Easterfield’s name I invite you to breakfast.  I know she will be glad to have me do it.  And now I must go on.  You are very, very good, and I am very grateful.”

Dick could not say that he was more grateful for being allowed to help her than she could possibly be for being helped, but his face showed it, and if she had looked at him she would have known it.