The color ebbed suddenly out of the girl’s face as she remembered.
“Gregory,” she declared in a strained voice, “stands in the way still. I didn’t send him away altogether. I’m not sure I made that clear.”
Wyllard stood very still for a moment or two.
“I wonder,” he said, “if there’s anything significant in the fact that you gave me that reason last. He failed you in some way?”
“I’m not sure that I haven’t failed him; but I can’t go into that.”
Again Wyllard stood silent. Then he turned to her with a strong restraint in his face.
“Gregory is a friend of mine,” he said, “there is, at least, one very good reason why I should remember it, but it seems that somehow he hadn’t the wit to keep you. Well, I can only wait, but when the time seems ripe I shall ask you again. Until then you have my promise that I will not say another word that could distress you. Perhaps I had better take you back to Mrs. Hastings now.”
Agatha turned away, and they walked back together silently.