Her conception of the opposite characters of the two men was singularly distinct and real, and this momentary confusion of them was disagreeable to her woman's sense.

But at this moment James came to release her and conduct her to Rushbrook's study, where he would join her at once.

Everything had been arranged as she had wished.
Even a more practical man than Rushbrook might have lingered over the picture of the tall, graceful figure of Miss Nevil, quietly enthroned in a large armchair by the fire, her scarlet, satin-lined cloak thrown over its back, and her chin resting on her hand.

But the millionaire walked directly towards her with his usual frankness of conscious but restrained power, and she felt, as she always did, perfectly at her ease in his presence.

Even as she took his outstretched hand, its straightforward grasp seemed to endow her with its own confidence.
"You'll excuse my coming here so abruptly," she smiled, "but I wanted to get before Mr.Leyton, who, I believe, wishes to see you on the same business as myself." "He is here already, and dining with me," said Rushbrook.
"Ah! does he know I am here ?" asked the girl, quietly.
"No; as he said you had thought of coming with him and didn't, I presumed you didn't care to have him know you had come alone." "Not exactly that, Mr.Rushbrook," she said, fixing her beautiful eyes on him in bright and trustful confidence, "but I happen to have a fuller knowledge of this business than he has, and yet, as it is not altogether my own secret, I was not permitted to divulge it to him.