“Your presence will not embarrass me in the least,” said Conolly.
“I have not sought this interview,” said Douglas. “I therefore prefer Mr. Lind to witness what passes.”
Conolly nodded assent; and they went to a house on the doorstep of which Douglas’s man was waiting, and ascended to the front drawing-room.
“Now, sir,” said Douglas, without inviting his guests to sit down. Conolly alone took off his hat. Marmaduke went aside, and looked out of the window.
“I know the circumstances that have led to your return,” said Conolly; “so we need not go into that. I want you, however, to assist me on one point. Do you know what Marian’s pecuniary position is at present?’
“I decline to admit that it concerns me in any way.”
“Of course not. But it concerns me, as I do not wish that she should be without money in a foreign city. She has telegraphed a question about her property to Miss McQuinch. That by itself is nothing; but her new address, which I first saw on a letter this morning, happens to be known to me as that of a rather shabby lodging-house.”
“I know nothing of it.”
“I do: it means that she is poor. I can guess at the sum she carried with her to America. Now, if you will be good enough to tell me whether you have ever given her money; if so, how much; and what her expenditure has been, you will enable me to estimate her position at present.”
“I do not know that you have any right to ask such questions.”