Her eyes flashed scrutinizingly on his face.

'You have a kind heart,' she said; 'everybody can see that. Be frank. Do
you know,' she asked in a different tone, 'or don't you, that you spoke
very gruffly to me this morning?'

'Miss Payne,' he began, 'I assure you--'

'I thought perhaps you didn't know,' she smiled calmly. 'But you did
speak very gruffly. Now, I have taken my courage in both hands in order
to come to you to-night. I may have lost my situation through it--I
can't tell. Whether I have lost my situation or not, I appeal to you for
candour.'

'Miss Payne,' said Hugo, 'it distresses me to hear you speak of a
"situation."'

'And why?'

'You know why,' he answered. 'A woman as distinguished as you are must
be perfectly well aware how distinguished she is, and perfectly capable,
let me add, of hiding her distinction from the common crowd. For what
purpose of your own you came into my shop, I can't guess. But necessity
never forced you there. No doubt you meant to avoid getting yourself
talked about; nevertheless, you have got yourself talked about.'

'Indeed!' She looked at him sideways.

'Yes,' Hugo went on; 'several thousands of commonplace persons are
saying that I have fallen in love with you. Do you think it's true, this