Valentine busied himself by getting her and the dogs and the luggage into the train before he explained what had detained him.
When they were seated in the railway carriage he did so.
“I am afraid you will give me a scolding, Grace. I have disobeyed you.”
Grace Ambleton looked at him keenly.
“You have seen Miss Pennington?”
He nodded his head.
“Well, Val?”
“It is not very well, my dear. Miss Pennington beat me off the ground, and made me look what I suppose I was, an intrusive fool. My good intention bore very bad fruit.”
“I am sorry you went,” Grace said, after a little pause. “I know you felt it was your duty, but, after all, I never thought with you on this subject. I was quite sure Miss Pennington knew perfectly well what sort of a man Mark was, and would not be moved by what you had to tell her. You must not forget how rich Mark is, and that he has a title. There are, I fear, many women like this one, who will accept these things, no matter what evils are attached to them. She is pretty, I suppose?”
Valentine was stroking the Irish terrier’s head.