But though she might be inclined to be playful, he was by no means in that mood. "And why did you refuse me when I asked you?" said he.
"For two reasons, partly because I thought it better to avoid any conversation with you."
"That is civil to an old friend."
"But chiefly,"—and now as she spoke she drew herself up, and dismissed the smile from her face, and allowed her eyes to fall upon the ground;—"but chiefly because I thought that Lord Ongar would prefer that I should not roam alone about Clavering Park with any young gentleman while I am down here; and that he might specially object to my roaming with you, were he to know that you and I were—old acquaintances. Now I have been very frank, Mr. Clavering, and I think that that ought to be enough."
"You are afraid of him already, then?"
"I am afraid of offending any one whom I love, and especially any one to whom I owe any duty."
"Enough! Indeed it is not. From what you know of me do you think it likely that that will be enough?" He was now standing in front of her, between her and the gate, and she made no effort to leave him.
"And what is it you want? I suppose you do not mean to fight Lord Ongar, and that if you did you would not come to me."
"Fight him! No; I have no quarrel with him. Fighting him would do no good."
"None in the least; and he would not fight if you were to ask him; and you could not ask him without being false to me."