"Where is he?"
"In London."
"Not gone to America then?"
"Not yet. He starts in a few days, if not delayed. I am trying to keep him back."
"I knew that his pretence of going was a lie!" muttered Percival. "Of course, he never intended to leave the country!"
"Pardon me," said Dino, who had heard more than was quite meant for his ears. "The word 'lie' should never be uttered in connection with any of Brian's words or actions. He is the soul of honour."
Percival sneered bitterly. "As is shown——" he began, and then stopped short. But Dino understood.
"As is shown," he said, steadily, "by the fact that when he learnt, almost in the same moment, that Miss Murray was the person who had inherited his property, and that she was promised in marriage to yourself, he left the house in which she lived, and resolved to see her face no more. Was there no sense of honour shown in this? For he loved her as his own soul."
"Upon my word," explained Percival, with unconcealed annoyance, "you seem to know a great deal about Miss Murray's affairs and mine, Mr.—Mr.—Vasari. I am flattered by the interest they excite; but I don't see exactly what good is to come of it. I knew of Mr. Stretton's proposal long ago: a very insolent one, I considered it."
"Let me ask you a plain question, Mr. Heron. You love Miss Murray, do you not?"