Mauleverer stared after him as if he had been some noxious animal.
“What has that damned cad—beg pardon, Miss Yorke—been doing here?” he demanded of Hammond.
“Oh, only taking away some one’s character.”
“Not mine, I hope,” said Belle, with a smile.
“No, not in Hammond’s hearing, I’ll swear,” said the loyal captain.
“It was too bad of you to go outside just as I was going to sing,” said Belle to the silent Hammond. “I shall expect an explanation.”
“I have been waiting here to give it to you,” was the grave answer.
“You seem quite serious about it. I am sure Mr. Despencer has been saying something against me.”
Captain Mauleverer put in a word.
“I can’t let you give your explanation now, because Miss Yorke has promised to sit out this next piece with me. You must wait your turn, old fellow.”