"I am a little uncertain now."
He looked at her perplexed.
"May I know why?" he asked.
She raised her eyebrows slightly.
"You are rather an inquisitive person," she remarked. "The fact is, I
may need the money I have saved for Berneval for somewhere else."
"Of course," he said slowly, "if you don't go--I don't. But you can't
stay in London all through the hot weather!"
"Miss Pengarth has asked me to go down there," she said.
He laid his hand suddenly upon hers.
"Juliet," he said.
She shook her head.
"Miss Lundy, please!"
"Well, Miss Lundy then! May I talk to you seriously?"
"I prefer you frivolous," she murmured. "I like to be amused."
"I'll be frivolous enough later on this evening. I've been wondering
if you'd think it impertinent if I asked you to tell me about your
guardian."
"What do you want to know?" she asked.
"Just who he is, and why he is content to let you live with only an
old woman to look after you. It isn't the best thing in the world for
you, is it? I should like to know him, Juliet."
She shook her head.
"I am sorry," she said, "I cannot tell you anything."
There was a short silence. Aynesworth was disappointed, and showed it.
"It isn't exactly ordinary curiosity," he continued. "Don't think
that! Only I feel that you need someone who has the right to advise
you and look after you. I should like to be your guardian, Juliet!"
She laughed merrily.
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