There, you can't refuse my offer
on those terms, can you?"
Tavernake remained silent. He was conscious that his lack of
response seemed both sullen and awkward, but he was for the
moment tongue-tied. His habit of inopportune self-analysis had
once more asserted itself. He could not understand the curious
nature of his mistrust of this woman, nor could he understand the
pleasure which her suggestion gave him. He wanted to refuse, and
yet he was glad to be able to tell himself that he was, after
all, but an employee of his firm and not in a position to decline
business on their behalf.
She leaned a little towards him; her tone was almost beseeching.
"You are not going to be unkind? You will not refuse me?" she
pleaded.
"I will bring you a list," he answered heavily, "on the terms you
suggest."
"To-morrow morning?" she begged.
"As soon as I am able," he promised.
Then he escaped. Outside in the corridor, the man who had
interrupted his interview was walking backwards and forwards.
Tavernake passed him without responding to his bland greeting.
He forgot all about the lift and descended five flights of
stairs. . . .
A few minutes later, he presented himself at the office and
reported that Mrs. Wenham Gardner had decided unfavorably about
Grantham House, and that she was not disposed, indeed, to take
premises of anything like such a rental. Mr. Dowling was
disappointed, and inclined to think that his employee had
mismanaged the affair.
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