When he spoke again, his tone had lost its note of resentment.
"I do not blame you for your suspicion," he said calmly, "although I can assure you that I have never had any idea of having you watched.

It is not a course which could possibly have suggested itself to me, even in my most unhappy moments." She was puzzled--at once puzzled and interested.
"I am so glad to hear this," she said, "and of course I believe you, but there the fact is.

I think that you will agree with me that it is curious." "Isn't it possible," he ventured to suggest, "that it is your companions who are the object of this man's vigilance?
You are not, I presume, alone here ?" She eyed him a little defiantly.
"I am here," she announced, "with Mr.and Mrs.Draconmeyer." He heard her without any change of expression, but somehow or other it was easy to see that her news, although more than half expected, had stung him.
"Mr.and Mrs.Draconmeyer," he repeated, with slight emphasis on the latter portion of the sentence.
"Certainly! I am sorry," she went on, a moment late, "that my companions do not meet with your approval.

That, however, I could scarcely expect, considering--" "Considering what ?" he insisted, watching her steadfastly.
"Considering all things," she replied, after a moment's pause.
"Mrs.Draconmeyer is still an invalid ?" "She is still an invalid." The slightly satirical note in his question seemed to provoke a certain defiance in her manner as she turned a little sideways towards him.

She moved her fan slowly backwards and forwards, her head was thrown back, her manner was almost belligerent.