To this she replied with one of those looks which women use when they wish to accord favours, but fear to betray themselves by words.
In a few minutes he heard footsteps outside the door; he ran to it before it was opened and said—
“Good morning, Mrs. Ashbrook.”
“It is not Mrs. Ashbrook,” replied a stern voice. Kitty confronted him.
“It is not Mrs. Ashbrook,” she repeated.
He shrugged his shoulders, but beneath this apparent non-challenge he prepared himself for a duel. He saw that the crisis was come, and that his opponent was not to be despised.
“I’m glad we’ve met,” said the girl. “Very glad.”
“Indeed, and why, pray?”
“Because I’ve a serious word to say to you, sir, and the time’s come to say it.”
“A serious word, my girl. Well, I’m all attention. Say it, then, without further ado. Something strictly confidential, I suppose?”