"Good-evening, Mr. Clancy. Will you sit down?" she said, coldly.
"Yes, Mara. Pardon me for calling you Mara. I am beyond any affectation of formality with you, and you know there is no lack of respect on my part."
She merely bowed and waited in silence.
"When you learn my motive for making my request, for coming here to-night, you will probably resent it, but you have taught me to expect little else except resentment from you."
"Mr. Clancy, there is no cause for such language. Certainly I was quietly pursuing the even tenor of my way."
"Do you understand fully whither that way is leading?"
"Truly, Mr. Clancy, that is a singular question for you to ask."
"I understand you, Mara. You mean that it is no affair of mine."
He knew that her silence gave assent to this view, and he answered as if she had spoken.
"Nevertheless you are mistaken. It is an affair of mine. There could be no peace for me in the future if I failed you now, for it seems to me I am the only true friend you have in the world."