had attracted the attention of Grace and Rushbrook in
the study, and it was the moment after it that Mr. Rushbrook left.

CHAPTER VI

Vaguely uneasy, and still perplexed with her previous agitation, as Mr.
Rushbrook closed the door behind him, Grace, following some feminine
instinct rather than any definite reason, walked to the door and placed
her hand upon the lock to prevent any intrusion until he returned.
Her caution seemed to be justified a moment later, for a heavier but
stealthier footstep halted outside. The handle of the door was turned,
but she resisted it with the fullest strength of her small hand until a
voice, which startled her, called in a hurried whisper:--

"Open quick, 'tis I."

She stepped back quickly, flung the door open, and beheld Somers on the
threshold!

The astonishment, agitation, and above all, the awkward confusion of
this usually self-possessed and ready man, was so unlike him, and withal
so painful, that Grace hurried to put an end to it, and for an instant
forgot her own surprise at seeing him. She smiled assuringly, and
extended her hand.

"Grace--Miss Nevil--I beg your pardon--I didn't imagine"--he began with
a forced laugh. "I mean, of course--I cannot--but"--He stopped, and then
assuming a peculiar expression, said: "But what are YOU doing here?"

At any other moment the girl would have resented the tone, which was
as new to her as his previous agitation, but in her present
self-consciousness her situation seemed to require some explanation.
"I came here," she said, "to see Mr. Rushbrook on business. Your
business--OUR business," she added, with a charming smile, using for the
first time the pronoun that seemed to indicate their unity and interest,
and yet fully aware of a vague insincerity in doing so.

"Our BUSINESS?" he repeated, ignoring her gentler meaning with a changed
emphasis and a look of suspicion.

"Yes," said Grace, a little impatiently. "Mr. Leyton thought he ought
to write to my uncle something positive as to your prospects with Mr.
Rushbrook, and"--

"You came here to inquire?" said the young man, sharply.

"I came here to stop any inquiry," said Grace, indignantly. "I came
here to say I was satisfied with what you had confided to me of Mr.
Rushbrook's generosity, and that was enough!"

"With what I had confided to you? You dared say that?"

Grace stopped, and instantly faced him. But any indignation she might
have felt at his speech and manner wa