He remembered Mrs. Chichester's statement about
Alaric's affection for his young cousin. Could the trouble have
arisen from THAT? It gave him a clue to work on. He grasped it.
"Answer me one question truthfully, Miss O'Connell."
"What is it? Hurry. I've a lot to do before I go."
"Is there an affair of the heart?"
"D'ye mean LOVE?"
"Yes."
"Why d'ye ask me that?"
"Answer me," insisted Mr. Hawkes.
Peg looked down on the ground mournfully and replied:
"Me heart is in New York--with me father."
"Has anyone made love to you since you have been here?"
Peg looked up at him sadly and shook her head. A moment later, a
mischievous look came into her eyes. and she said, with a roguish
laugh:
"Sure one man wanted to kiss me an' I boxed his ears. And another--
ALMOST man--asked me to marry him."
"Oh!" ejaculated the lawyer.
"Me cousin Alaric."
"And what did you say?" questioned Hawkes.
"I towld him I'd rather have 'Michael.'"
He looked at her in open bewilderment and repeated:
"Michael?"
"Me dog," explained Peg, and her eyes danced with merriment.
Hawkes laughed heartily and relievedly.
"Then you refused him?"
"Of course I refused him. ME marry HIM! What for, I'd like to know?"
"Is he too young?"
"He's too selfish, an' too silly too, an' too everything I don't
like in a man!" replied Peg.
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