"I was hoping you would, because I felt I must tell you, and I'm not
good at talking," said the man. "I can't help seeing that you are
vexed with me."

If Alton had intended to be conciliatory he had signally failed,
because Miss Deringham had no intention of admitting that anything he
could do would cause her anger.

"I am afraid you are taking things for granted," she said.

Alton smiled gravely, and the girl noticed that he accepted the onus of
the explanation she had forced upon him.

"I really don't think you should be," he said. "I can't help being
Tristan Alton's grandson, you see, and we are some kind of relations
and ought to be friendly."

Miss Deringham laughed a little. "Relations do not always love each
other very much," said she.

"No," said Alton. "Still, I think they should, and, even if it hurts,
I feel I've got to tell you I'm sorry. If you would only take it, it
would please me to give you back Carnaby."

The girl almost gasped with astonishment and indignation. "That is a
trifle unnecessary, since you know it is perfectly impossible," she
said.

She had at last roused the man, for the moonlight showed a darker
colour creeping into his tan. "I don't usually say more than I mean,"