"You mustn't disturb your friends on my account," she said quietly.
She did not look up, but Trent felt keenly the alteration in her
manner.

"They're not my friends," he exclaimed passionately "I'll clear them
out neck and crop."

She looked up for a moment, surprised at his sudden vehemence. There
was no doubt about his being in earnest. She continued her work
without looking at him, but her tone when she spoke was more friendly.

"This will take me a little longer than I thought to finish properly,"
she said. "I wonder might I come down early to-morrow morning? What
time do you leave for the City?"

"Not until afternoon, at any rate," he said. "Come to-morrow,
certainly - whenever you like. You needn't be afraid of that rabble.
I'll see you don't have to go near them."

"You must please not make any difference or alter your arrangements
on my account," she said. "I am quite used to meeting all sorts of
people in my profession, and I don't object to it in the least.
Won't you go now? I think that that was your dinner-bell."

He hesitated, obviously embarrassed but determined. "There is one
question," he said, "which I should very much like to ask you. It
will sound impertinent. I don't mean it so. I can't explain
exactly why I want to know, but I have a reason."

"Ask it by all means," she said. "I'll promise that I'll answer it