I found her still inexplicable. She was evidently annoyed, and yet she did not seem to wish me to be. There was a cloud upon her face and a nervousness in her manner which I wholly failed to understand.
"If I were to tell you," she said, raising her eyes suddenly to mine, "that your acceptance of my offer would be a favour—would put me under a real obligation to you?"
"I should still have to remind you," I declared, "that as yet I have no pupils, and it takes time to get them. Further, I have arrived at that position when immediate employment, if it is only as a breaker of stones upon the road, is a necessity to me."
She sighed.
"My father will offer you a post," she said slowly.
"Now you are a real Samaritan, Lady Angela," I declared. "I only hope that it may be so."
Her face reflected none of my enthusiasm.
"You jump at conclusions," she said, coldly. "How do you know that the post will be one which you will be able to fill?"
"If your father offers it to me," I answered, confidently, "he must take the risk of that."
I was surprised at her speech-perhaps a little nettled. I was an "Honours" man, an exceptional linguist, and twenty-five. It did not seem likely to me that there was any post which the Duke might offer which, on the score of ability, at any rate, I should not be competent to fill.