“I never knew until last night that you were Mr. Gregory’s granddaughter.”
He had spoken the least bit tragically and she smiled.
“Yes, he is my grandfather. I understand perfectly that I shouldn’t be here, in your father’s house, with my grandfather feeling as he does toward Colonel Craighill; and I’m sorry about it.”
“I’m sorry, too—sorry about that unpleasant business matter. I have offered to settle your grandfather’s claim. I should like you to know that I acknowledge the justice of it.”
“But it’s not the point for you to acknowledge it. It’s only partly a money matter; there’s more to it than that—at least, that’s grandfather’s way of looking at it. Mrs. Craighill asked me to stay until she came up from the station and I suppose I shall have to see your father this morning.”
“Yes; I imagined she had asked you. She did it out of compliment to me!”
The colour stole into her face. She was not so dull but that she saw why Mrs. Craighill had kept her at the house. Jean took up her magazine and began reading.
“Please pardon me! I should not have said that.”
She nodded slightly, without looking up. Her flushed cheeks told him plainly enough that she had grasped the whole situation at Rosedale and he was angry at himself for having referred to it.
“There is nothing in the world so important to me as your good opinion,” he said, standing before her.