"I arrived at Liverpool yesterday, and went directly to London. At the Charing Cross Hotel I found out that you had come here."
"I see."
She said no more, but stared hard at him.
"Dear aunt, cannot you forgive me," he said, trying to put on a sad face. "I have done wrong, I know, but I--I--couldn't help it."
"Sit down, Frederic, and tell me why you reported to me that the lumber company was in bad shape."
"Because I was told that it was a fact."
"Who told you that?"
"Some of the men at the Pioneer Club. They knew I, or rather you, were interested in the company."
"The report is absolutely false."
"So I have since heard, and I have come to you for the purpose of setting myself straight in your eyes."