She heard herself addressed by name, and, turning quickly, found herself face to face with James Flockart.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE VELVET PAW
The new-comer stood before Gabrielle, hat in hand, smiling pleasantly and uttering a greeting of surprise.
Her response was cold, for was not all her present unhappiness due to him?
"I've come here to speak to you, Gabrielle—to speak to you in confidence."
"Whatever you have to say may surely be said in the hearing of a third person?" was her dignified answer. His sudden appearance had startled her, but only for a moment. She was cool again next instant, and on her guard against her enemy.
"I hardly think," he said, with a meaning smile, "that you would really like me to speak before a third party."
"I really care nothing," was her answer. "And I cannot see why you seek me here. When one is hopeless, as I am, one becomes callous of what the future may bring."
"Hopeless! Yes," he said in a changed voice, "I know that; living in this dismal hole, Gabrielle, you must be hopeless. I know that your exile here, away from all your friends and those you love, must be soul-killing. Don't think that I have not reflected upon it a hundred times."