"I ask for nothing more than a roof," Louise assured him.
John threw his hat and whip upon the round table and stood in the center of the stone floor. She caught a glance which flashed between the two men—of appeal from the one, of icy resentment from the other.
"We can at least add to the roof a bed and some supper—and a welcome," John declared. "Is that not so, Stephen?"
The older man turned deliberately away. It was as if he had not heard his brother's words.
"I will go and find Jennings," he said. "He must be told about the servants."
Louise watched the disappearing figure until it was out of sight. Then she looked up into the face of the younger man, who was standing by her side.
"I am sorry," she murmured apologetically. "I am afraid that your brother is not pleased at this sudden intrusion. Really, we shall give you very little trouble."
He answered her with a sudden eager enthusiasm. He seemed far more natural then than at any time since he had ridden up from out of the shadows to take his place in her life.
"I won't apologize for Stephen," he said. "He is a little crotchety. You must please be kind and not notice. You must let me, if I can, offer you welcome enough for us both."