They would be able to look after you."

"You are very kind," I said again, "but I am afraid that I could not
take advantage of such an offer."

"Why not?"

"I have no claim upon you or your father," I answered. "We are almost
strangers, are we not? I might accept and be grateful for employment,
but this is charity."

"A very conventional reply, Mr. Ducaine," she remarked, with faint
sarcasm. "I gave you credit for a larger view of things."

I found her still inexplicable. She was evidently annoyed, and yet she
did not seem to wish me to be. There was a cloud upon her face and a
nervousness in her manner which I wholly failed to understand.

"If I were to tell you," she said, raising her eyes suddenly to mine,
"that your acceptance of my offer would be a favour--would put me under
a real obligation to you?"

"I should still have to remind you," I declared, "that as yet I have no
pupils, and it takes time to get them. Further, I have arrived at that
position when immediate employment, if it is only as a breaker of stones
upon the road, is a necessity to me."

She sighed.

"My father will offer you a post," she said slowly.

"Now you are a real Samaritan, Lady Angela," I declared. "I only hope
that it may be so."

Her face reflected none of my enthusiasm.

"You jump at conclusions," she said, coldly. "How do you know that the
post will be one which you will be able to fill?"

"If your father offers it to me," I answered, confidently, "he must take
the risk of that."

I was surprised at her speech-perhaps a little nettled. I was an
"Honours" man, an exceptional linguist, and twenty-five. It did not
seem likely to me that there was any post which the Duke might offer
which, on the score of ability, at any rate, I should not be competent
to fill.

"He will offer it you," she said, looking steadily downwards on to the
sands below, "and you will accept it. I am sorry!"

"Sorry!" I exclaimed.

"Very. If I could find you those pupils I would," she continued. "If I
could persuade you to lay aside for once the pride which a man seems to
think a part of his natural equipment, it would make me very happy.
I--"

"Stop," I interrupted. "You must explain this, Lady Angela."

She shook her head.

"Explain is just what I cannot," she said, sadly. "That is what I can
never do."

I was completely bewildered now. She was looking seaward, her face
steadily averted from mine. As to her attitude towards me, I could