He felt that there was some subtle change in his companion; this was never the same Stephen Norman whom only yesterday he had met upon the hill! He plunged at once into his purpose.
'But it wasn't about my debts you asked me to meet you, Stephen.' 'You surprise me, Leonard! I thought I simply asked you to come to meet me.

I know the first subject I mentioned when we began to talk, after your grumbling about coming in the heat, was your money matters.' Leonard winced, but went on: 'It was very good of you, Stephen; but really that is not what I came to speak of to-day.

At first, at all events!' he added with a sublime naivette, as the subject of his debts and his imperative want of money rose before him.

Stephen's eyes flashed; she saw more clearly than ever through his purpose.

Such as admission at the very outset of the proffer of marriage, which she felt was coming, was little short of monstrous.
Her companion did not see the look of mastery on her face; he was looking down at the moment.