One _might_ be afraid of Sir Hastings, but of Mr.Curzon, no! The professor had seen the glad rush of the girl towards him, and a terrible pang of delight had run through all his veins--to be followed by a reaction.

She had come to him because she _wanted_ him, because he might be of use to her, not because....

What had Hastings been saying to her?
His wrathful eyes are on his brother rather than on her when he says: "You are tired ?" "Yes," says Perpetua.
"Shall I take you to Gwendoline ?" "Yes," says Perpetua again.
"Miss Wynter is in my care at present," says Sir Hastings, coming indolently forward.

"Shall I take you to Lady Baring ?" asks he, addressing Perpetua with a suave smile.
"She will come with me," says the professor, with cold decision.
"A command!" says Sir Hastings, laughing lightly.

"See what it is, Miss Wynter, to have a hard-hearted guardian." He shrugs his shoulders.
Perpetua makes him a little bow, and follows the professor out of the conservatory.
"If you are tired," says the professor, somewhat curtly, and without looking at her, "I should think the best thing you could do would be to go to bed!" This astounding advice receives but little favor at Miss Wynter's hands.
"I am tired of your brother," says she promptly.