But here she sat, chilled, bitter at heart, coolly asking herself:
"Is it well for me to be too hasty? Since I have been so utterly mistaken in the character of this man, may I not be mistaken in rashly following out my first impulse regarding his grandmother's property? Yes, I am rash. I will wait a while before I make my intention known."
"I must know you better, sir, before I can form a just opinion of you," said she. "Perhaps we had better defer this matter until we have each had time to decide upon the wisest course?"
"We have scarcely four months," said he, with a frown.
"They are ample for the purpose," she retorted, and rose to terminate the interview.
"When am I to see you again, Miss Walsingham?" asked the softly-pitched tones.
Without analyzing the strong impulse which prompted her, she replied:
"You are welcome to come here every evening, if you choose to make an associate of your grandmother's companion."
And the satire checked the exaggerated deference with which he was making his adieus, and sent him away with a touch of St. Udo's lofty style.
She stood long at the window, following that tall, fine figure with darkened eyes, and biting her lips fiercely.