"Yes, here. If you don't go out, I'll drop you out of the window--old as I am."
"Well, you'll get that brick in the neck if you don't hustle!"
Jack laughed and held out his hand; his father took it, tried to speak--only succeeded in swearing. The boy went out. When the girl entered, Mr. Rivett was standing by the window, wiping his glasses for the second time that morning.
He turned, nodded, placed a chair for Silvette, but remained standing.
"I don't suppose you've any notion why I've asked you to come in here. Have you?"
"Because," said Silvette, laughing, "our relations are on a business basis."
"What an odd question! Of course, I do. I'm in love with your wife."
She laughed gayly. "You've evidently discovered that Diana and I like you immensely."
"Of course; you've been very charming to us. As for Christine, we care a great deal for her--very sincerely and deeply, Mr. Rivett."
"What about Jack?" asked Mr. Rivett casually.
A slight tinge of color rose and spread in the girl's pretty cheeks.
"Everybody likes Jack," she said briefly.
"That's what I wanted to find out. That's why I asked you to come here."
The girl looked at him, startled, incredulous of her own hearing.
"Then I'll be plainer. Jack has told me that he wishes to marry you."
The crimson stained her from throat to temple, but she rose with perfect self-possession.
"I think," she said quietly, "that this severs our business relations."
"Because I warned Jack that one word of this matter to you would mean my leaving Adriutha."
"Because I am employed here by you, and Jack is your son," she said coldly.
"You are very kind, but my service is of no further value."
"I ask you to remain," he said slowly. "You have already rendered me service I could never pay for. I ask you to remain with us--as our guest, if you must; as Jack's betrothed, if you will."
"But--but I don't--I am not in love--with Jack!" she stammered. "He knows it. I have told him so.... I like him immensely.... he is a dear boy--generous, clever, charming, considerate.... I never liked any man better.... But I _don't_ love him, Mr. Rivett."
"That's up to him, isn't it?" asked Rivett dryly. "I can't make you love my boy; neither can his mother. Mothers can do most things. Probably Jack is young enough to think she can make you love him; but I can't help that, Miss Tennant. All I can do is to ask you to remain.... And to say--that if you ever come to care for Jack, my only boy, his mother will welcome you as our daughter--and so will I."