"Of course I do," replied Linton quickly. "I never cared for the law, and only went into it to please my father."
"And now you go into literature to please Miss Paynton."
Linton blushed at this home thrust, and being readier with the pen than the tongue, did not know what answer to make. Pitying his confusion, and anxious to arrive at the main object of the interview, Claude interpolated a remark bearing thereon.
"Did you find it difficult to work out the plot of your novel, Mr. Linton?" he said, with assumed carelessness.
"Oh, not at all! The construction of a plot is second nature with me."
"I suppose you and Miss Paynton talked it over together," said Tait artfully.
"Well, yes," answered Linton, again falling into confusion; "I found her a good listener."
"I presume it was all new to her?"
"I think so. Of course she gave me some hints."
Evidently Linton was determined to admit nothing, so seeing that Tait's attack was thus repulsed, Claude brought up his reserve forces.