Sir Giles saw that he had taken the wrong tone with Iris.

His anger had not alarmed her; his opinion had not influenced her.

In Hugh's interests, he determined to try what consideration and indulgence would do towards cultivating the growth of her regard for him.

Finding that she had left her maid and her luggage at the hotel, he hospitably insisted on their removal to his own house.
"While you are in Ardoon, Iris, you are my guest," he said.
She pleased him by readily accepting the invitation--and then annoyed him by asking again if he had heard anything of Lord Harry.
He answered shortly and sharply: "I have heard nothing.

What is _your_ last news of him ?" "News," she said, "which I sincerely hope is not true.