Hammond was not left to himself for very long. The marchioness waited to give her nephew time to clear the way, and then took the field in person.
When he heard her name, a sardonic smile crossed Hammond’s lips. He stood up to receive her, a very different man to the one whom Belle Yorke’s brother had encountered.
The marchioness walked in with an angry gleam in her eyes. Hammond at once proceeded to draw first blood.
“Show Mr. Despencer in!” he called out to the footman, looking out through the door as if in the expectation of seeing that gentleman outside.
“Mr. Despencer is not with me, Mr. Hammond,” said the marchioness shortly, biting her lips.
Mr. Hammond affected to be surprised.
“I apologize!” he exclaimed, as the footman withdrew. “But this is very good of you, marchioness. Where will you sit?”
The marchioness planted herself in an arm-chair.
“I suppose you know, Mr. Hammond, why I have called?”
Hammond seated himself comfortably in another easy-chair opposite, and crossed his legs.