Mrs. Denham made an impatient gesture and subsided into the chair again.
She remained silent a while, staring at the pattern of the carpet at her
feet.

"Mr. Lynde," she said at length, "I was not prepared for this. The
possibility that you might grow interested in my niece naturally
occurred to me at first. I was pleased when I became convinced that the
acquaintance between you had resolved itself into merely a friendly
liking. I was thrown off my guard by your seemingly frank manner. I
trusted you. You have been alone with my niece but twice--once for only
ten minutes. I will do you the justice to say that you have made the
most of those two occasions."

"I made very little of those two occasions," said Lynde reflectively.

"I think you have been--treacherous!"

"I do not see what there can be of treachery in my admiring Miss
Denham," he replied, with a flush. "I entered into no compact not to
admire her."

"Mr. Lynde, Mr. Denham will not approve of this."

"Not at first, perhaps...but afterwards?"

"Neither now nor afterwards, Mr. Lynde."

"Why not?"