He was astounded not because she had heard Paton's exclamation,
but by reason of the flood of light which her recollection of it at
that moment poured on his own wandering thoughts.
"It is a most amazing thing that you should ask me that, Miss
Fenshawe," he cried.
"Sh-s-s-h. I have always imagined you to be a man who would smile in
the midst of earthquakes, yet here you are quite dazzled by a harmless
bit of feminine curiosity. Don't you wish me to know how you came by
that nickname? I suppose it is one?"
"There is no other in whom I would confide so willingly," he said.
"Promise you will not laugh at me if I tell you more than you bargain
for."
"What? Is there humor in the story?"
"Let us see. I am hardly a fair judge. At present I am more than
mystified. It is easy enough to explain why I was called 'King Dick' at
school. That is a mere preface to my romance. One of the cherished
traditions of my family is that we are lineal descendants of King
Richard the First of England."
"Good gracious!"
"The statement lends itself to disbelief, I admit--"
"Why do you think me disbelieving?"
"Pray forgive me, Miss Fenshawe.
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