‘You wished to see me, Miss Coningham,’ I said. ‘I am at your service.’
‘What is wrong, Mr Cumbermede? You never used to speak to me in such a tone.’
‘There is nothing wrong if you are not more able than I to tell what it is.’
‘Why did you come if you were going to treat me so?’
‘Because you requested it.’
‘Have I offended you, then, by asking you to meet me? I trusted you. I thought you would never misjudge me.’
‘I should be but too happy to find I had been unjust to you, Miss Coningham. I would gladly go on my knees to you to confess that fault, if I could only be satisfied of its existence. Assure me of it, and I will bless you.’
‘How strangely you talk! Some one has been maligning me.’
‘No one. But I have come to the knowledge of what only one besides yourself could have told me.’
‘You mean—’