‘Oh! do,’ said she. ‘Let me hear those noble sounds again, though I shall be sadly at a loss to answer you. I have been years and years away from Athens.’
‘I know that. I know your story from one who loved to talk of you, all unworthy as he was of such a theme.’
‘And who was this?’
‘Atlee—Joe Atlee, whom you saw here some months ago.’
‘I remember him,’ said she thoughtfully.
‘He was here, if I mistake not, with that other friend of yours you have so strangely escaped from to-day.’
‘Mr. Walpole?’
‘Yes, Mr. Walpole; to meet whom would not have involved you, at least, in any contrariety.’
‘Is this a question, sir? Am I to suppose your curiosity asks an answer here?’
‘I am not so bold; but I own my suspicions have mastered my discretion, and, seeing you here this morning, I did think you did not care to meet him.’