"I am placed in difficult circumstances, and have not made up my mind what to do."
"I hope you won't allow yourself to be prejudiced against me by any false stories."
"No, I can promise you that. I have perfect confidence in you."
"Thank you for that, Mrs. Hamilton," said Ben gratefully.
"Yet I am about to take a course that will surprise you."
"What is that?"
"I am going to let you leave me for a time, and put Conrad in your place."
Ben looked bewildered, as well he might. There was nothing that would have surprised him more.
"Then I am afraid you don't find me satisfactory," he said anxiously.
"Why not?"