Why ?" Dyce gave no answer.

He laid aside his hat and stick, sat down not far from Constance, and looked at her steadily.
"I have something rather odd to say to you.

As we are both rational persons, I shall talk quite freely, and explain to you exactly the position in which I find myself.

It's a queer position, to say the least.

When I was at Rivenoak, on the last day of my visit, Lady Ogram had a confidential talk with me; your name came prominently into it, and I went away with certain vague impressions which have kept me, ever since, in a good deal of uneasiness.