"Not a bit," I answered, wondering at the change which had come over this pretty but elusive young lady.
"Well, Mr. Bremner,—I see you reading very often. I came across to inquire if you could favour me with something in the book line to wile away an hour or so."
"With pleasure," I answered.
"Mr. Horsfal, my employer, has a well-stocked little library here and you are very welcome to read anything in it you may fancy. Will you come inside?"
She looked up shyly, then her curiosity got the mastery.
"Why, yes!" she cried, jumping up. "I shall be delighted."
I led the way into the front room, fixing the lamp and causing a flood of mellow light to suffuse the darkness in there. I went over and threw aside the curtains that hid the book-shelves.
"You have a lovely place here," she exclaimed, looking round in admiration. "I had no idea ... no idea——"
"—That a bachelor could make himself so comfortable," I put in.
"Exactly! Do you mind if I take a peek around?" she asked, laughing.