'But why should he not? Every one is glad to come to Mrs. Rushmore's house.'
This was an unanswerable form of complimentary argument. Margaret reflected on that strange law by which, when we have just heard for the first time of a fact or a person, we are sure to come across it, or him, again, within the next twenty-four hours. She did not believe that Logotheti could be found at short notice and introduced to new acquaintances so easily as the young scholar seemed to think; but she made up her mind, if he came at all, that she would prevent him from talking about their meeting at Madame Bonanni's, which she wished to avoid mentioning for the present. That would be easy enough, for a man of his tact would understand the slightest sign, and behave as if he had not met her before.
In the afternoon she was alone with Lushington again. He was not at all in an aggressive mood; indeed, he seemed rather depressed. They walked slowly under the oaks and elms.
'What is the matter?' Margaret asked gently, after a silence.
'I have been thinking a great deal about you,' he answered.
'The thought seems to make you sad!' Margaret laughed, for she was very happy.
'Yes. It does,' he answered, with a sigh that certainly was not affected.
'But why?' she asked, growing grave at once.
'There is no reason why I should not tell you. After all, we know each other too well to apologise for saying what we think. Don't we?'
'I hope so,' Margaret answered, wondering what he was going to say.