'It's a romance,' he said loud out in the cab; and Gladys looked at him in mild surprise, but though she did not stand in awe of him at all, she did not presume to ask what he meant.
'Now tell me, my dear, have you been happy in this—this place?' he inquired significantly, as the cab rumbled over the rough causeway of the Wynd into Colquhoun Street.
'Yes, I have been happy. I only know now, when I think it may not be my shelter very long.'
Mr. Fordyce looked at her keenly.
'Poor girl, she knows nothing, absolutely nothing,' he said to himself. 'What a revelation it will be to her! Yes, it's a thrilling romance.'
The greeting between the well-known lawyer and his strange client was not ceremonious. It consisted of a couple of nods and a brief good-morning. Then Gladys was requested to leave them alone. Nothing loath, she ran up-stairs to Walter, whose sorrow lay heavy on her heart.
'Your niece has surprised me, Mr. Graham,' said the lawyer. 'Yes, very much indeed.'
'Why? What did you expect to see? Eh?'
'Not a refined and lovely young woman in a place like this, certainly,' he said frankly, and looking round with an expression of extreme disgust. 'Has it never occurred to you what poor preparation Miss Graham has had for the position you intend her to fill?'
'That's none of your business,' retorted the old man sharply. 'She doesn't need any preparation, I tell you. Cottage or palace are the same to her; she'll be a queen in either.'