'No,' answered Mirelle, curtly, and drew herself up. The Captain looked hard at her.
'Have you given him any encouragement? Have you allowed him any right to interfere?'
Mirelle's cheek coloured, and a haughty flash came into her eye.
'Captain Trecarrel, I do not comprehend you.'
'My dear Mirelle,' he said in a gentle, soothing tone, 'do not misunderstand me. What I mean is harmless enough not to offend you. Did you ask his advice, and in your first loneliness give him such occasion as to suppose that he was necessary, that as a pert and pushing cock-sparrow he has hopped in where not wanted, since you have come under the protection of others?'
'No,' answered Mirelle, 'I have always kept him at a distance. When he has volunteered help it has been declined. He came here about the money not for my sake only, but for the sake of some friends whom he wanted to assist out of a difficulty.'
'Oh! he wanted to help friends to your money! How disinterested and how benevolent!'
'He wished to have my money invested in mortgages on the estate of West Wyke.'
'What did Mr. Trampleasure say to that?'
'He absolutely refused. He said he had a better investment in view, one that would render double.'