There was something in his attitude which suggested that he was expecting her to leave the room, and would have liked her to. When she showed no sign of going he commented on her last remark. "That was rather bad taste on her part." "Wasn't it?" Having done with the telegram, he began to examine the letters. She watched him with an expression in her pale blue eyes which, if he had been conscious of it, might have startled him. It was plain from his manner that he intended to offer her no encouragement either to continue the conversation or to remain in the room. After a perceptible interval, she said, with an abruptness which was a little significant: "I was at the inquest." He glanced up. "You were where? At the inquest? Oh! What was the attraction? And how did you get in?" "I believe the public are admitted to inquests. They're supposed to be public inquiries, aren't they? Also, I had a friend at court; and, anyhow, I wasn't the only person there. I suppose Miss Patterson is a rich woman now." "She'll have money." "Are you going to marry her?" "Why do you ask?" "Or are you going to marry Miss Austin?" "Pray why do you ask that?" "When Miss Patterson was here last night I thought there was an air about her as if she considered you her property; when Miss Austin was here this evening I thought the same thing of her. Odd, wasn't it?" "The only thing odd about it, my dear Mabel, is that you should have such a vivid imagination. Both these ladies are old friends of mine." "Old friends, are they? In what sense? In the sense that I'm an old friend?" "No one could be nicer than you have been." "I see. Have they been nice to you like that?" "My dear Mabel, in what quarter sits the wind? Where's Mrs. Joyce?" "Mother's out; she's going to stay at aunt's till to-morrow. You and I are alone together." "Good business! Come and give me a kiss." "No, don't touch me; I won't have it." "There is something queer about the wind! What's wrong? Is there anything wrong?" "I'm trying to tell you. It's not easy, but I'm going to tell you if you'll give me a chance." "You've some bee in your bonnet. Let me get it out." "You give me a chance, I say! I tried to tell you last night, but I couldn't. But I'm going to tell you now; I've got to!" "Have you? Couldn't you tell me a little closer, instead of standing all that distance off?" "I wouldn't come nearer for--for anything." "Mabel! After all these years!" "Yes, after all these years! How long have you been here?" "I never had a memory for dates." "More than four years you have been here." "So long as that? And it hasn't seemed a day too long." "I was a kid in short skirts when you first came." "And a very pretty kid you were. Almost as pretty even then as you are now." "Rodney, have you ever cared for me a little bit?" "Have I ever cared? Haven't I shown it?" "Shown it? You call that showing it? My word!" "What is the matter with the girl? I've never seen you like this before."