"Quite so. M-m-m'yes. Or the same father. Quite so."
"I—I simply can't talk about it yet," muttered the young fellow. "If you'll excuse me——"
"Quite so. Far better to talk about other things just at present, m'yes, far wiser. M-m-m—and so the young lady's aunt has arrived? Very suitable, ve-ry suitable and necessary. And doubtless Miss Quest will take up her permanent residence here, in view of the—ah—m-m-m-m'yes!—no doubt of it; no doubt."
"We have not spoken of that."
A moment later Miss Quest entered the room.
"Stephanie is awake and is asking for you," she said. As the young man rose with a murmured excuse. Miss Quest turned and looked at Chiltern Grismer.
"Madame," he began, rising to his gaunt height, "permit me—my name is Grismer——"
"Oh," she interrupted drily, "I've talked you over with the late Mr. Cleland."
"My friend of many years, Madame——"
"We didn't discuss your friendship for each other, Mr. Grismer," she snapped out. "Our subject of conversation concerned money."