There was, however, a high spirit in the girl, and she looked at her father steadily.
"But you were left the money, or most of it ?" she said.
"Yes," said Deringham grimly.

"I was left the money." The girl asked nothing further, for there was something in the man's face which warned her not to press that subject.

She knew that her father had long acted as financial adviser to the late owner of Carnaby, but it was not astonishing that Deringham had not told her he had exceeded the discretion allowed him, and been singularly unfortunate in his speculations.
She rose, and a man who like themselves had finished his meal leisurely followed them outside into the verandah.

He smiled as he drew out a chair for the girl, and then sat down opposite her father with a card in his hand.
"Glad to meet you, Mr.Deringham.

I'll introduce myself," said he.
Deringham took the card handed him, and glanced with an air of quiet indifference at the stranger, while his daughter looked apparently straight past him towards the climbing pines.