“Pshaw!––that kind would claim acquaintance with the very devil himself. You don’t suppose I ever met him before. He is a dangerous criminal escaped from Ukalla.”
“He told me so,” put in Eileen, as if tired of the interview, “and he seemed quite annoyed when I refused to believe the dangerous criminal part.”
“But the police tell me he is. It was only for your sake that I let him go.”
Brenchfield tried to turn her to the seriousness of her misdemeanour. “For the sake of your good name, you had no right admitting him. You know what Vernock is like for gossip. You know the construction likely to be placed on your action.”
Eileen drew herself up haughtily.
“You’ll excuse me, Mr. Brenchfield! When did you earn the right to catechise Eileen Pederstone?”
He changed suddenly and his peculiarly strong and handsome face softened.
“I am sorry. I did not mean it in that way, Eileen. And this is no time to speak, but––but I hope––some day–––”
The girl held up her hand, and he stopped.