"No," said Benoliel. "So you gave it back to Ludsey?"
"Yes."
"Does Mrs. Royle know that you are aware of her share in the transaction?"
"Yes. We haven't ever talked of it, but she knows and proposed of her own accord that we should separate. We couldn't go on living together, could we? It would be too uncomfortable. I couldn't trust her."
"When does she go?"
"In a week or two, now," said Cynthia. "She has taken a little house on the north side of the park. Of course, for my father's sake"--thus she always spoke of Mr. Daventry--"I am looking after her;" and she suddenly struck her hands together. "Oh, but it's all rather sordid, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Mr. Benoliel. He was troubled and perplexed. "And what are you going to do?" he asked.
Cynthia shrugged her shoulders.
"I must engage a companion."
"That doesn't sound very satisfactory."