He was prompt to allay it.
"She shall have that assurance this very evening," he promised.
"I at least have not pledged my word to anything or to any one.
Even so," he added slowly, "the chances of my services being ever
required grow more slender every day. Una may be full of
premonitions about Dick. But between premonition and event there
is something of a gap."
Again a pause, and then: "I am glad," said Miss Armytage, "to think
that Una has a friend, a trustworthy friend, upon whom she can
depend. She is so incapable of depending upon herself. All her
life there has been some one at hand to guide her and screen her
from unpleasantness until she has remained just a sweet, dear child
to be taken by the hand in every dark lane of life."
"But she has you, Miss Armytage."
"Me?" Miss Armytage spoke deprecatingly. "I don't think I am a
very able or experienced guide. Besides, even such as I am, she may
not have me very long now. I had letters from home this morning.
Father is not very well, and mother writes that he misses me. I am
thinking of returning soon."
"But - but you have only just come!"
She brightened and laughed at the dismay in his voice. "Indeed, I
have been here six weeks.
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