"Don't go yet. Sit down."
His tone was still one of command, but not of the same quality of command as that which he had used on her entry. He brought her a chair, and she seated herself again.
"You said just now," he began, resuming his former attitude, with his arm on the mantelpiece, "that you didn't expect me to be so definite. Suppose I had been indefinite; then what would you have done?"
"I should have been indefinite, too."
"That's all very well; but, you see, I have to look at things from the point of view of business."
"And is there never anything indefinite in business?"
"Not if we can help it."
"And what happens when you can't help it?"
"Then we have to look for some one to whose discretion we can trust."
"Exactly; and, if you'll allow me to say it, Miss Pruyn is at an age and in a position where she needs a friend armed with discretion rather than authority."