All at once she was excessively
frightened at what she had attempted. She knew nothing of the ways of
men; but she felt suddenly sure that he would resent her interference
as an unwarrantable impertinence.
"I thought--if you were going there today--you might take it--to
her," she hesitated. "Or, I could send it. It is a small matter, of
course."
"I think," he said gravely, "that it is a very serious matter."
She interpreted uncertainly the intent gaze of his beautiful, somber
eyes.
"I came here," she faltered, "to--to find a home. I had no wish--"
"I understand," he said, his voice deep and sympathetic; "people have
been talking to you--about me. Am I right?"
She was silent, a pink flush slowly staining her cheeks.
"You have not yet learned upon what slight premises country women, of
the type we find in Brookville, arrive at the most unwarrantable
conclusions," he went on carefully. "I did not myself sufficiently
realize this, at first. I may have been unwise."
"No, you were not!" she contradicted him unexpectedly.
His lifted eyebrows expressed surprise.
"I wish you would explain to me--" he began.
Then stopped short. How indeed could she explain, when as yet he had
not made clear to her his own purpose, which had grown steadily with
the passing weeks?
"You will let me speak, first," he concluded inadequately.
He hastily reviewed the various phrases which arose to his lips and
rejected them one by one. There was some peculiar quality of
coldness, of reserve--he could not altogether make it clear to
himself: it might well be the knowledge of her power, her wealth,
which lent that almost austere expression to her face.
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