"I was stupid," said Foster with some confusion. "But I didn't mean
what you think. Far from it! My partner has made good, I'm glad you
had the wisdom and pluck to see this."
"He is a very dear fellow," she answered with a soft gleam in her eyes
that moved Foster. Then she smiled. "You are forgiven--and I must
confess that at first my mother took the view I thought you hinted at.
She said Lawrence ought to wait until all risk of the past's being
brought to light was gone. But I suppose when you guessed the truth it
was something of a shock?"
"No," said Foster. "Although I haven't known you long, I feel that I
won't lose my partner when he marries you. I was grateful when you
said you hoped I would always be his friend."
Lucy nodded. "I saw you understood. Before we met I was rather
jealous of you--and curious. I think Lawrence sometimes makes mistakes
about people."
"Walters, for example? Well, I like you to be careful about Lawrence,
but hope you don't feel anxious now you have seen me."
"He needs a man friend and there's something about you that makes one
feel you can be trusted," said Lucy, who gave him a level glance. "You
look ingenuous, but perhaps that's deceptive, in a way. I mean that I
didn't quite understand you until you told us about your adventures in
Scotland."
"Ah!" said Foster, "Carmen once said something like that, but she was
blunt. She told me I wasn't quite such a fool as I look. However, I
haven't much ground for boasting about my exploits. The main results
were that I got myself suspected by the police, warned off Daly, and
made Lawrence's father think I had murdered him. Now I'd much rather
look a simpleton than a homicide!"
Lucy laughed, but her eyes were soft. "We all make mistakes, Mr.
Foster, but your object was good. Besides, I feel that you will carry
it out."
Foster hesitated for a few moments, studying the girl. She had courage
and he liked the way she took care of his comrade. In some respects,
Lawrence needed to be guarded.
"I hoped you would stop when your mother went," he said.