“That’s Renalt’s way, of course. He always wanted to keep the good things to himself. But I’ve been in London quite a long time now, Miss Mellison, and he hasn’t even mentioned me to you.”
Dolly gave me a glance half-perplexed, half-reproachful.
“Why didn’t you, Renny?”
I struggled to beat down the answer that was on my lips: “Because I thought him no fit company for you.”
“I didn’t see why I should,” I said, coolly. “I’m not bound to make my friends his.”
“How rude you are—and your own brother! Don’t mind him, Mr. Trender. He can be very unpleasant when he chooses.”
She smiled at him and my heart sunk. Was it possible that his eyes—his low musical voice—could he be taking her captive already?
“Come,” I said, roughly. “We’re losing the morning chattering here, Dolly. You’re not wanted, Jason. That’s the blunt truth.”
Dolly gave a little, pained cry of deprecation.
“Don’t, Renny! It’s horrible of you.”