But I have seen him only once since the day when he gave me the heart." Nothing I could say would do justice to the subject, so I remained silent.
"But you have not yet told me how your father came to know of the golden heart," I said.
"It was this way: One morning while I was looking at the heart, father came upon me suddenly before I could conceal it.

He asked me to tell him how I came by the jewel, and in my fright and confusion I could think of nothing else to say, so I told him you had given it to me.

He promised not to speak to you about the heart, but he did not keep his word.

He seemed pleased." "Doubtless he was pleased," said I, hoping to lead up to the subject so near to Sir George's heart, but now farther than ever from mine.
The girl unsuspectingly helped me.
"Father asked if you had spoken upon a subject of great interest to him and to yourself, and I told him you had not.

'When he does speak,' said father most kindly, 'I want you to grant his request'-- and I will grant it, Cousin Malcolm." She looked in my face and continued: "I will grant your request, whatever it may be.