Ballantyne replied without irony or amusement and with his eyes fixed upon her face.

Mrs.Repton could not account for the panic which seized hold upon her.

She had dined in Captain Ballantyne's company before often enough; he had now been for three days in her house; she had recognised his ability and had neither particularly liked nor disliked him.

Her main impression had been that he was not good enough for Stella, and it was an impression purely feminine and instinctive.

Now suddenly he had imposed himself upon her as a creature dangerous, beastlike.