"I don't know," carelessly replied Sir Karl, whose thoughts were preoccupied.
"Not know! but is he not your agent?--and a friend also?"
Sir Karl was fully aroused now. "Know who Mr. Smith is?" he
repeated--and he wished to heaven in his secret heart that he did know. "How do you mean, Miss Blake? He is Mr. Smith, and--yes--a kind of agent to me on the estate."
The latter part of the answer was given lightly, half merrily, as if he would pass it off with a laugh. Miss Blake resumed.
"Is he not an old friend of the Andinnian family?"
"Of some of them, I believe. I did not know him myself."
"Who gave him his appointment?"
"My mother. She considered it well to have some responsible person here to look after my interests, as I was living abroad."
"Do you not intend, Sir Karl, to make an acquaintance of him?--a friend?"
For a moment Sir Karl's brows were heavily knitted. "I do not suppose I shall," he quietly said.