"No, Hugh; I never thought of marrying you for that reason. I was doing it only because it seemed to me right."
Mr. Brokenshire emitted a sound, meant to be a laugh:
"Right! Oh, my God!"
Mrs. Brokenshire was now no more than a pale-rose shadow on the farther side of the room, but she came to my aid:
"She was, Howard. Please believe her. She was, really!"
"Thanks, darling, for the corroboration! It comes well from you. Where there's a question of right you're an authority."
Mrs. Billing's hoarse, prolonged "Ha-a!" implied every shade of comprehension. I saw the pale-rose shadow sink down on a sofa, all in a little heap, like something shot with smokeless powder.
Hugh was twisting my wrist again and whispering:
"Alix, tell me. Speak! What are you marrying me for? What about the other fellow? Is it Strangways? Speak!"
"I've given you the only answer I can, Hugh. If you can't believe in my doing right—"