Perhaps it rather upset her ?' 'Yes, I think it did.' Unable to adapt himself at once to this singular mood of Rhoda's, but resolved not to let her go before he had tried to learn the cause of it, he walked along by her side.

In this part of the gardens there were only a few nursemaids and children; it would have been a capital place and time for improving his intimacy with the remarkable woman.

But possibly she was determined to be rid of him.

A contest between his will and hers would be an amusement decidedly to his taste.
'You also have been disturbed by it, Miss Nunn.' 'By the inquest ?' she returned, with barely veiled scorn.

'Indeed I have not.' 'Did you know that poor girl ?' 'Some time ago.' 'Then it is only natural that her miserable fate should sadden you.' He spoke as if with respectful sympathy, ignoring what she had said.
'It has no effect whatever upon me,' Rhoda answered, glancing at him with surprise and displeasure.
'Forgive me if I say that I find it difficult to believe that.