Gurth’s face went suddenly pale, and his lips trembled as he stammered out some unintelligible words.
Marston was utterly astonished at the effect his remark had produced, and he instantly suspected there was some secret connected with Gertie the discovery of which Gurth had reason to dread. Perhaps Ralph had left her something in his will But whatever Marston thought, he was too good a diplomatist to say anything. He waited till Gurth had recovered his composure and pretended not to notice his confusion.
‘That’s all nonsense,’ said Gurth, with an effort. ‘I’m quite sure you’re wrong.’
‘Very likely,’ answered Marston. ‘It was only an idea of mine—a passing fancy. What is it you want to know about the child, now?’
Gurth hesitated. He was inclined to believe that Marston’s story about Ruth was a pure fabrication. Still he hardly liked to say that he wanted to see Heckett on behalf of Gertie’s new friend.
‘What do I want to know about the child?’ he said, after a pause. ‘Oh, nothing much. I only wanted to see if I could do anything for her. She struck me as being a very intelligent little thing.’
‘Very,’ answered Marston; ‘but she in very good hands now. Ruth is as good as a mother to her.’
The familiar use of the Christian name grated on Gurth’s ears.
‘Yes; but I presume Miss Adrian does not propose to keep her always, and I thought——’
‘You need not trouble yourself about Gertie Heckett, my dear fellow,’ answered Marston, lighting a cigar. ‘I shall look after her. Her story’s a very sad one, and I like to do good when I can. I’m going in for being a friend to the orphan, and I shall begin with Gertie Heckett.’