“Yes, and the alderman,” said Hammond.
He was slipping away a few minutes later, when he found himself intercepted in the doorway by Despencer.
Despencer addressed him in a confidential tone.
“I say, you heard what the marchioness said just now. Do you think any one ought to give a hint to Lord Severn?”
“Why, what about?” asked Hammond, surprised.
“About Belle Yorke. She oughtn’t to come here, you know.”
“Why not?” demanded Hammond, frowning angrily.
“Didn’t you know?” Despencer’s expression became that of a man who finds he has innocently committed himself. “Perhaps I ought not to have spoken to you about it; but I thought the story was public property.”
“What story? I wish you would speak out.”
Despencer glanced round cautiously, and lowered his voice.