As it was, however, she shook his hand off, and looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Why should you suppose that, and venture to presume upon it ?" she said.
"Would it be presuming ?" "It would," said the girl very coldly.
"Then," said Alton, "you can't tell me ?" "No, of course not.

Is there any reason why I should ?" Here at least was an opportunity, but if the man desired to gain his companion's confidence he made an indifferent use of it.

"We are some kind of relations, and you promised to be friends with me," he said.
Miss Deringham laughed a little.

"One seldom tells one's troubles to one's friends," she said.
Alton seemed to sigh.

"Then there is nothing I can do ?" "Yes," said Miss Deringham.