‘Then you do not think they can be true,’ she said, drawing a long breath of relief.
‘That would depend upon their source, as I am trying to make you understand. You need not in any case be anxious until you have definite information from Philip himself. I do not like to speak about Mr Shield; but, eccentric as he is, I do not think he would leave him in the lurch, when he knows that so long as Philip continues to hold the position of his heir, I shall do nothing for him.’
‘Not even if Philip had been deceived?’
‘Not even then.... But I will do anything for you.’
‘And that will be the same thing,’ she said, her face brightening.
‘Not quite,’ he observed with a coldness that was almost harsh.
But she did not observe the difference of tone and manner: she only felt that here was the opportunity to make Philip’s rumoured misfortunes the means of bringing about what Philip most desired—the reconciliation of his father and Austin Shield.
‘You say you would do anything for me,’ she said after a moment’s reflection, her expression becoming very serious as she lifted her eyes to his with pensive inquiry.
‘I have said it.’ The coldness had left his voice, and in its stead there was a subdued fervour, which indicated how much he was in earnest.
Then she looked at him steadily for a minute—still with that pensive inquiry in her eyes.