“That is not a bad idea. There is always something attractive in novelty.”
Again Hammond reflected for a minute, and again he resumed his questioning.
“Tell me, has the marchioness heard this rumor?”
Despencer had not been expecting this question, and it nearly threw him off his guard. His eye met Hammond’s for a moment before he answered.
“I should hardly think so, or she wouldn’t have had her here. That would have been too daring, even for her.”
“It would be equally daring for her to come here if there were anything in it. Surely her very presence here proves her innocence?”
“Yes; but what about Lord Severn’s absence? You saw him hurry out the moment she arrived?”
“My God, yes!” The words were dragged from Hammond in a burst of anguish. “There is some damned mystery in this!” he muttered between his teeth.
“Of course, it may be a mere coincidence,” the tempter threw in, artfully. “But I am always so suspicious of coincidences.”
Hammond was not listening. A new idea had occurred to him.