"
"Then," she said, "do you think that anything but pain and
unpleasantness can come of a meeting between us?"
"Lady Ruth," Aynesworth answered, "it is not for me to form an
opinion. I am Sir Wingrave Seton's secretary."
"What is he going to do?" she asked.
"I have no idea," he answered.
"Is he going abroad?"
"I know nothing of his plans," Aynesworth declared. "What answer shall
I take back to him?"
She looked at him earnestly. Gradually her face was softening. The
frozen look was passing away. The expression was coming back to her
eyes. She leaned a little towards him. Her voice, although it was
raised above a whisper, was full of feeling.
"Mr. Aynesworth," she murmured, "I am afraid of Sir Wingrave Seton!"
Aynesworth said nothing.
"I was always a little afraid of him," she continued, "even in the
days when we were friendly. He was so hard and unforgiving. I know he
thinks that he has a grievance against me. He will have been brooding
about it all these years. I dare not see him! I--I am terrified!"
"If that is your answer," Aynesworth said, "I will convey it to him!"
Her beautiful eyes were full of reproach.
"Mr. Aynesworth," she said, in a low tone, "for a young man you are
very unsympathetic."
"My position," Aynesworth answered, "does not allow me the luxury of
considering my personal feelings."
She looked hurt.
"I forgot," she said, looking for a moment upon the floor; "you have
probably been prejudiced against me.
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