“How dare you!” she cried, drawing herself indignantly from him. “Do you think I am some backwoods girl who is flattered by your preference after a day’s acquaintance?”
“Not a day’s acquaintance, Miss Sommerton—a year, two years, ten years. In fact, I feel as though I had known you all my life.”
“You certainly act as if you had. I did think for some time past that you were a gentleman. But you take advantage now of my unprotected position.”
“Miss Sommerton, let me humbly apologise!”
“I shall not accept your apology. It cannot be apologised for. I must ask you not to speak to me again until Mr. Mason comes. You may consider yourself very fortunate when I tell you I shall say nothing of what has passed to Mr. Mason when he arrives.”
John Trenton made no reply, but gathered another armful of wood and flung it on the fire.
Miss Sommerton sat very dejectedly looking at the embers.
For half an hour neither of them said anything.
Suddenly Trenton jumped up and listened intently.
“What is it?” cried Miss Sommerton, startled by his action.