"You—asked him to?"
"I did."
"But why—why?"
"Because, from what little I know of him, I judged it best."
"Sir," she said, softly, "sir—what do you mean?"
"I mean, that this is such a very lonely place for any woman and—such as he."
Now even as Barnabas uttered the words she advanced upon him with upflung head and eyes aflame with sudden passionate scorn.
"Insolent," she exclaimed. "So it was you—you actually dared to interfere?"
"Madam," said Barnabas, "I did."
Very straight and proud she stood, and motionless save for the pant and tumult of her bosom, fierce-eyed and contemptuous of lip.