His face darkened as he saw the two who sat there.
"Miss Atherton," said he, looking not at her, but at Jeffreys, "have you forgotten we were to have a ride this morning ?" "I am so sorry, Mr Scarfe, but I have a headache, and don't feel as if I could ride to-day.

You will excuse me, won't you ?" "Oh, certainly," replied Scarfe; "don't you think a turn in the park will do you good?
May I have the pleasure of escorting you ?" Raby said, "Thank you." She was very sorry to disappoint any one, and had no valid excuse against a walk.
"Miss Atherton," said Scarfe, when they had gone some distance, chatting on indifferent topics, "I am anxious just to say a word to you, not in my own interest at all, but your own.

Will you forgive me if I do ?" "What is it ?" said Raby, mystified.
"I wish to put you on your guard against Jeffreys, who, I see, presumes on his position here to annoy you.

You may not perhaps know, Miss Atherton, that not two years ago--" "Excuse me, Mr Scarfe," said Raby quietly, stopping in her walk, "I hate talking of people behind their backs.

Mr Jeffreys has never annoyed me; he has been kind to me.