"It's all different!" exclaimed Peggie, dropping into a chair and clasping her hands on her knees. "All so different! And I feel so utterly helpless." "Scarcely that," said Selwood, with an effort to speak calmly. "You've got Mr. Tertius, and Mr. Halfpenny, and the Professor, and--and if there's anything--anything I can do, don't you know, why, I----" Peggie impulsively stretched out a hand--and Selwood, not trusting himself, affected not to see it. To take Peggie's hand at that moment would have been to let loose a flood of words which he was resolved not to utter just then, if ever. He moved across to the desk and pretended to sort and arrange some loose papers. "We'll--all--all--do everything we can," he said, trying to keep any tremor out of his voice. "Everything you know, of course." "I know--and I'm grateful," said Peggie. "But I'm frightened." Selwood turned quickly and looked sharply at her. "Frightened?" he exclaimed. "Of what?" "Of something that I can't account for or realize," she replied. "I've a feeling that everything's all wrong--and strange. And--I'm frightened of Mr. Burchill." "What!" snapped Selwood. He dropped the papers and turned to face her squarely. "Frightened of--Burchill? Why?" "I--don't--know," she answered, shaking her head. "It's more an idea--something vague. I was always afraid of him when he was here--I've been afraid of him ever since. I was very much afraid when he came here the other day." "You saw him?" asked Selwood. "I didn't see him. He merely sent up that card. But," she added, "I was afraid even then." Selwood leaned back against the desk, regarding her attentively. "I don't think you're the sort to be afraid without reason," he said. "Of course, if you have reason, I've no right to ask what it is. All the same, if this chap is likely to annoy you, you've only to speak and--and----" "Yes?" she said, smiling a little. "You'd----" "I'll punch his head and break his neck for him!" growled Selwood. "And--and I wish you'd say if you have reasons why I should. Has--has he annoyed you?" "No," answered Peggie. She regarded Selwood steadily for a minute; then she spoke with sudden impulse. "When he was here," she said, "I mean before he left my uncle, he asked me to marry him." Selwood, in spite of himself, could not keep a hot flush from mounting to his cheek. "And--you?" he said. "I said no, of course, and he took my answer and went quietly away," replied Peggie. "And that--that's why I'm frightened of him." "Good heavens! Why?" demanded Selwood. "I don't understand. Frightened of him because he took his answer, went away quietly, and hasn't annoyed you since? That--I say, that licks me!"