"I have given them away," she said, quickly—"to Robin."
"But I have not accepted them," he answered—"I will keep them if you like—for YOU."
She gave a slight, scarcely perceptible movement of vexation, and then, taking up the sealed packet which was addressed to her personally, she left the room.
The lawyer looked after her in a little perplexity.
"I'm afraid she takes her loss rather badly," he said—"or—perhaps—is she a little absent-minded?"
Robin Clifford smiled, sadly.
"I think not," he answered. "Of course she feels the death of my uncle deeply—she adored him—and then-I-suppose you know—my uncle may have told you—"
"That he hoped and expected you to marry her?" said Mr. Bayliss, nodding his head, sagaciously—"Yes—I am aware that such was his dearest wish. In fact he led me to believe that the matter was as good as settled."
"She will not have me," said Clifford, gently—"and I cannot compel her to marry me against her will—indeed I would not if I could."
The lawyer was so surprised that he was obliged to take off his glasses and polish them.