"Then, to be candid--that is, as candid as I dare be," said the lawyer, "I have taken the great liberty of being very much interested in you, since the first day we met. I had no reason to expect you to be correspondingly impressed, but--" "What am _I_ to expect at the end of this, Mr. Townsend?" she interrupted him. "Are you sure that you are not about to say very imprudent words, out of time, out of place, and that may do much evil while they cannot accomplish any good?" He saw her put her left hand to her heart, when she made the interruption, as if some sudden pang had pierced her or some organic pain was located there; and all the past gayety of her manner was gone. "I am perfectly sure, Miss Hayley!" he said, bowing; and the assurance was received with a nod of confidence. "I have only said what any gentleman of respectability ought to be able to say to any lady without offence--that I have been very much interested in you; and I was about to say that while I had no reason to expect my impression to be returned, yet I felt that I had a _right_ to fair-dealing and no unfavorable prejudgment." "Fair-dealing? prejudgment?" she uttered, in a not unnatural tone of surprise. "Does my conduct of this morning--oh, what am I saying?--Mr. Townsend, I do not understand you!" "Of course you cannot, until I explain," said the lawyer. "I have just said that _you_ honored me too much, but I cannot extend that remark to some of your most intimate friends--Captain Coles, for instance--who may be--I hope you will excuse what may sound like an impertinence but is certainly not intended to be such--more nearly connected with yourself and your future plans in life than I have any right to know." There was respectful inquiry in his tone, though he by no means put the remark as a question. Margaret Hayley recognized the tone but did not see the keen interrogation in his eyes at that moment, for her own--those proud, magnificent eyes--were drooped to the floor. "By which you mean," answered the lady, "that you think it possible that Captain Coles is my betrothed husband." "I am sorry to say--yes!" said the lawyer, his voice again dropped very low. "Well, the remark, which amounts to a direct question, is certainly a singular one to come from a man who has no right--even of old acquaintance--to make it," responded Margaret. "And yet I _will_ answer it, a little more frankly than it was put! Captain Hector Coles is not, and never will be, any nearer in relationship to myself than you see him to-day." "I thank you very much for the confidence, to which, as you say, I have no right," said Townsend. "It makes what I have yet to say a little easier. I beg you not to misunderstand me when I tell you that I was last evening an accidental listener to the story of my disgraceful conduct coming down the mountains, as told by the Captain at second-hand, as well as to his allegations that I was a coward and an adventurer."