“By force?” murmured Carpentaria.
Then he laughed loudly, violently, magnificently, after his manner. His laugh resounded through the deserted gardens.
“Juliette thinks I have removed her betrothed by force?” he queried.
“Naturally she does!” said Pauline. “The most extraordinary rumours are about. It is even said that you have had a quarrel and killed him.”
“Tut-tut!” said Carpentaria, and after clearing his throat he proceeded: “Miss Dartmouth, will you kindly fix your eyes on mine. I tell you I have had nothing whatever to do with your cousin’s disappearance, and that I was entirely unaware of his intention to marry Juliette to-morrow.”
She gazed at him doubtfully.
“On your honour?”
“No,” he said proudly, “not on my honour. When I talk to a person as I am talking to you, if I say a thing is so, it is so. I decline to back my assertions with my honour.”
“I believe you,” she whispered softly, and her eyes fell.
“Thanks!” he said. “Will you shake hands?”