She released him graciously and keyed down to an easier tone.
"You must forgive me if I've been too frank, Mr. Granthope, but this interview is almost like a first meeting, and you know how much one is apt to say in such a situation. Let's not continue the discussion--I'm embarrassed enough already. I know I shall regret what I've said. We'll talk of something pleasanter. Tell me about that pretty girl in your office."
"Oh!" he exclaimed, and his tone was as if he had said, "Aha!" He wondered if it were possible that, after all, it was only this which had moved her to speak.
Clytie frowned, but if she read his thought, she let it go unchallenged.
"She's an original little thing; I like her," she added.
"You do?" he said mischievously exaggerating his surprise.
"Yes, I do. Don't think I'm trying to patronize her, but she's a dear--and she's very pretty."
"Do you think so? I shall have to tell her that. She's pretty enough, at least, to have been on the stage. She was in vaudeville for a couple of years. I first got acquainted with her at the Orpheum. I've known her a long time. She's a great help and a great comfort to me, and a very clever girl."
"And you haven't fallen in love with her yet?"
Granthope was relieved. He was sure now that she was, if not jealous, suspicious of his relations with Fancy. It was not the first time he had encountered such insinuations.
"Oh, not in the least," he said. "I can give you my word as to that. I don't think it ever occurred to me--though I'd do anything in the world for her."
"And I suppose you're as sure of her immunity?"
"Why, of course," said Granthope, and in his tone there was the ring of masculine assurance.
Clytie smiled and shook her head. "There are some things men never can know, no matter how clairvoyant they are," she said, looking away.
He did not follow this up, but arose to leave. "I'm afraid you have a very poor opinion of me, Miss Payson," he said, "but I do feel complimented by your frankness. Perhaps I shall merit it--who knows?" It was his turn to address the distance, and, in spite of his consciousness of an histrionic effect, his own words sounded curiously in his ears; they seemed premonitory. He shook himself free from her influence again. She had controlled the situation from the first word; he had only made a series of mistakes. It all confirmed his first estimate of her: that she was very well worth his while, but that her capture would be difficult.