"Oh you don't require it--you've evidence enough.I speak of a sealed letter that I've been requested to deliver to her.""And you don't mean to?"
"There's only one consideration that would make me," I said.
Gravener's clear handsome eyes plunged into mine a minute, but evidently without fishing up a clue to this motive--a failure by which I was almost wounded."What does the letter contain?""It's sealed, as I tell you, and I don't know what it contains.""Why is it sent through you?"
"Rather than you?" I wondered how to put the thing."The only explanation I can think of is that the person sending it may have imagined your relations with Miss Anvoy to be at an end--may have been told this is the case by Mrs.Saltram.""My relations with Miss Anvoy are not at an end," poor Gravener stammered.
Again for an instant I thought."The offer I propose to make you gives me the right to address you a question remarkably direct.
Are you still engaged to Miss Anvoy?"
"No, I'm not," he slowly brought out."But we're perfectly good friends.""Such good friends that you'll again become prospective husband and wife if the obstacle in your path be removed?""Removed?" he anxiously repeated.
"If I send Miss Anvoy the letter I speak of she may give up her idea.""Then for God's sake send it!"
"I'll do so if you're ready to assure me that her sacrifice would now presumably bring about your marriage.""I'd marry her the next day!" my visitor cried.