Derek sprang up and strode across the room.
"Do you mean to tell me," he demanded, turning abruptly, "that she made over all her money to Mrs. Eveleth—a woman who has deserted her, like the rest of us?"
"That's what she did; but there's this to be said for the old lady, that she doesn't know it. She thinks it's the wreck of her own fortune, and Diane wouldn't let me tell her the truth. Since you seem to be interested in the little story," he added, with sarcasm, "you may hear all about it."
With tolerable accuracy he gave the details of his first interview with Diane, three years previous. Long before he finished, Lucilla was weeping silently, while Derek stood like a man turned to stone. Even the banker's own face took on an expression of whimsical gravity as he said in conclusion:
"And so I've decided to give her a home—that is," he added, significantly, "if no one else will."
"Do you mean that for me?" Derek asked, in a tone too low for Lucilla to hear it.
"Oh no—not particularly. I mean it for—any one."
"Because," Derek went on, "as for me—I'm not worthy to have her under my roof."
The banker made no comment, sitting in a hunched attitude and humming to himself in a cracked voice while Derek stared down at him.
They were still in this position when Marion Grimston was shown in.