Well, madam, you will, I know, _protect yourself,_ by forbidding
my grandson to further inflict his company upon you? And I will remove
my own company, which is doubtless tiresome to you."

He bowed again with contemptuous ceremony, and turned away.

The color had dropped out of Helena's face; she was trembling very
much. With a confused impulse she called to him, and even ran after
him for a few steps down the path. He turned and waited for her. She
came up to him, her breath broken with haste and fear.

"Mr. Wright, you won't--" Her face trembled with dismay. In her fright
she put her hand on his arm and shook it; "you won't--?"

As he looked into her stricken eyes, his own suddenly softened. "Why--
"he said, and paused; then struck the ground with his stick sharply.
"There, there; I understand. You think I'll tell? Gad-a-mercy, madam,
I am a gentleman. And my boy Sam doesn't interest you? Yes, yes; I see
that now. Why, perhaps I've been a trifle harsh? I shall say nothing
to Lavendar, or anybody else."

She put her hands over her face, and he heard a broken sound.
Instantly he reddened to his ears.

"Come! Come! You haven't thought me harsh, have you? Why, you poor-
_bird!_ It was only on my boy's account. You and I understand
each other--I am a man of the world. But with Sam, it's different,
now, isn't it? You see that? He's in love with you, the young fool! A
great nuisance to you, of course. And I thought you might--but I ask
your pardon! I see that you wouldn't think of such a thing. My dear