"
"How did he vex you?" Miss Percival's voice came cool and clear, but
commanding.
"That I cannot tell you," said he.
"But I want to know." This seemed to her sufficing reason.
But he was dogged. "Then I can't help you. You cannot be told."
"But perhaps I ought to be told. Do you think I ought?"
"Indeed, I don't know."
"Well, will you tell me?"
"I will not, indeed. That is, I cannot."
"It's very extraordinary."
He made no answer.
"Struan," said Miss Percival, after a while, "you are angry."
He turned quickly. "With you? Never."
"I didn't say that. I said you were angry."
He said, "Ah--and so I am."
"I am included, I suppose."
"You are not. It could not be."
She laughed. "I don't know---"
He was vehement. "But you do know. You know it very well."
She had no answer; but she smiled to herself; and I have no doubt she
knew.
For two minutes or more there was silence, a time of suspense. Then Miss
Percival said, "I've had a telegram. Mr. Ingram is coming to-morrow."
To this he said nothing. She went on.
"He is bringing people with him. Mrs. Benson was very funny about it. He
is coming at seven with some people, and she would read it that he was
coming with seven people.
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