"I presume it was not to quote from Owen Meredith that you wished to see me, Mr. Wainwright," said Daisy, looking up at him quietly.
George stared at her for a moment, but was not one bit disconcerted.
"No," he said, "it was not; but I am in the habit of using quotation when I think it illustrates my meaning, and those lines struck me as being rather apt. However, we come back to the fact that Paul Derinzy was, and I believe is, very much in love with you. From what he gave me to understand, I believe I am right in saying that that passion was at one time returned. I believe--I wish to touch as lightly as possible on unpleasant matters--I believe that recently there has been some interruption of the pleasant relation which existed between you--an interruption emanating from you--and that Paul has consequently been very much out of spirits. Am I right?"
"You are very frank and candid with me, Mr. Wainwright," said Daisy, "and I will endeavour to answer you in the same manner. I perfectly admit that the position which Mr. Derinzy and I occupy towards each other is changed, and changed by my desire."
"You will not think me impertinent or exacting--you certainly will not when you know all I have to tell you--if I ask what was the reason for that change?"
Daisy's face flushed for an instant, then she said:
"A woman's reason--because I wished it."
George nodded as though he perfectly comprehended her; but he gazed at her all the time.
"May I ask, has this altered state of feeling come to a head? has there been any open and decisive rupture between you lately?"
"If you are not sufficiently in Mr. Derinzy's confidence to have that information from him, I scarcely think you ought to ask it of me," said Daisy.