Sir Fletcher Portwood.

Overhear—certainly, overhear——

Mrs. Cloys.

No, no! [Going to John.] Preposterous! [After a pause.] Mr. Allingham, why should Mrs. Allingham—be there? [John is silent.] What has passed between you and——? Your wife has not been—listening?

John.

[Desperately.] Mrs. Fraser—has said—nothing to me that a—a just woman can bring up against her——

Mrs. Cloys.

Listening!

John.

[Almost inaudibly.] Yes. [Passionately.] But you don’t know——! [Calling in a loud voice.] Olive! Olive——!