"Do you
know, I think I should rather like to make you--afraid of me."
In spite of herself Ann shrank a little inwardly. She was suddenly
conscious of a sense of the man's force, of the dogged tenacity of purpose
of which he might be capable. He had not been dowered with that conquering
nose and those dare-devil, reckless eyes for nothing! She could imagine him
riding rough-shod over anything and any one in order to attain his ends.
She contrived a laugh.
"I hope you won't attempt such a thing," she said, endeavouring to speak
lightly. "If you do, I shall appeal to Lady Susan for protection."
"That wouldn't help you any," he assured her. "Aunt Susan would let you
down quite shamelessly. She keeps a permanently soft spot in her heart for
disreputable characters--like me."
When they reached the house they discovered Lady Susan located in the
easiest chair she could find, placidly smoking a cigarette, her
gold-knobbed ebony stick--inseparable companion of her walks
abroad--propped up beside her. From outside the front door could be heard
sundry scratchings and appealing whines, punctuated by an occasional
hopeful bark, which emanated from the bunch of dogs without whom she was
rarely to be seen in Silverquay.
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