Despencer’s mocking smile was lost upon Hammond. He muttered:
“I must get at the truth.”
“Far better not,” observed the cynic. “The truth is sometimes very disagreeable. I myself much prefer to be told pleasant falsehoods.”
“And to tell them, I suppose?”
Despencer did not wince.
“I am always anxious to oblige,” he answered, pointedly.
“You have no prejudice against Miss Yorke?” was Hammond’s next question.
“I have no prejudices at all, I can assure you. I am a most broad-minded person.”
“It would make no difference to you, I suppose, if this report were true? It wouldn’t injure her in your opinion?”
“On the contrary, it would greatly increase my respect for her.”