"Do let us sit down here," she said, turning about at last, "and look at this glorious blue view! Blue mountains, blue valleys, and blue sky, all in different shades,—and sniff the scent of roses, and heliotrope, and now, my dear boy, I am going to have a nice little talk with you."
"That's right, what is it about?"
"I want you to tell me, why there is such a silent but strenuous effort to keep you from leaving the Tallboys?"
Mallender looked at her smiling eyes, broke off a twig of lemon verbena, but made no reply.
"Fanny has some particular reason for not allowing you to run away."
"Has she?" he answered with a bantering air.
"Don't evade my questions, there's a dear, but tell me the truth? I am so safe. Are you about to ruin your life by a foolish marriage?"
His reply was a boyish and spontaneous laugh; then seeing her face of grave reproach, he added:
"I don't want to go away, you may be sure,—but I may have to leave—as a duty. I'd tell you all about it, like a shot, but it would not interest you, you'd only chaff me."
"Chaff you!" she repeated indignantly. "Do you imagine you are talking to Nancy Brander? anything that concerns you, will interest me. Won't you tell me?" Suddenly her voice sank to a low enticing whisper. Behold Mrs. Villars in her most dangerous character.