"I have never looked upon it in that light," he answered. "May I ask you how you heard of it?"
She coloured, but faced the question.
"I heard it from my father, at first, and I took an interest—on Zeb
Meader's account," she added hastily.
Austen was silent.
"Of course," she continued, "I felt a little like boasting of an 'accidental acquaintance' with the man who saved Zeb Meader's life."
Austen laughed. Then he drew Pepper down to a walk, and turned to her.
"The power of making it more than an accidental acquaintance lies with you," he said quietly.
"I have always had an idea that aggression was a man's prerogative,"
Victoria answered lightly. "And seeing that you have not appeared at
Fairview for something over a year, I can only conclude that you do not
choose to exercise it in this case."
Austen was in a cruel quandary.
"I did wish to come," he answered simply, "but—the fact that I have had a disagreement with your father has—made it difficult." "Nonsense" exclaimed Victoria; "just because you have won a suit against his railroad. You don't know my father, Mr. Vane. He isn't the kind of man with whom that would make any difference. You ought to talk it over with him. He thinks you were foolish to take Zeb Meader's side."