"How do you know that?" asked Alice, wilfully dense, although her heart endorsed every word the young man said.
"Need I explain?" He stared at her hard.
"No," she answered after a short pause. "I can guess your meaning. When we shook hands we were drawn together by—well, I can't say."
"By the friendship of the past!"
"Yes," she hesitated; "I suppose so! But other people would think we were talking sad nonsense, Mr. Montrose."
"What does it matter what other people think?" said the young man calmly.
"Not much. But one has to consider the world in which one lives."
"Mrs. Barrast?"
"No! No! No!" Alice laughed outright and rose, as she felt that he was getting on altogether too fast. "She is very tolerant."
"That is something in her favour, considering how narrow people are as a rule in this world." Montrose got on his feet also. "Before we join her and Eberstein, let me hear you assure me that you do not look upon me as a grasping enemy who has taken your father's money."