She had formed a somewhat mistaken estimate of him already.
"I want to tell you that I'm sorry," he said.
The girl fancied she understood him, and it increased her anger, for the fact that this barbarian of the bush should venture to express pity for her was galling.

Still, she had no intention of admitting it, and regarded him inquiringly with a half-contemptuous indifference which she had found especially effective with presumptuous young men in England.

Somewhat to her astonishment it apparently had no result at all, for Alton returned her gaze gravely and without embarrassment.
"I don't understand," she said.
"I was hoping you would, because I felt I must tell you, and I'm not good at talking," said the man.

"I can't help seeing that you are vexed with me." If Alton had intended to be conciliatory he had signally failed, because Miss Deringham had no intention of admitting that anything he could do would cause her anger.
"I am afraid you are taking things for granted," she said.
Alton smiled gravely, and the girl noticed that he accepted the onus of the explanation she had forced upon him.
"I really don't think you should be," he said.

"I can't help being Tristan Alton's grandson, you see, and we are some kind of relations and ought to be friendly." Miss Deringham laughed a little.