At last he found himself in Frank Amberley’s private room, and free to confide as much or as little as he pleased to the man who was his secret rival.
“You wished to consult me on important business, I believe?” Mr. Amberley said, when they were alone.
“I did, if you will be kind enough to listen to me.”
There was a long and painful pause.
Frank Amberley had a presentiment that Captain Desfrayne was about to give him some clue to his reasons for shunning Lois Turquand. He did not utter a word, but began to sort some papers, to leave his visitor free to collect his thoughts.
“The fact is,” Captain Desfrayne began slowly, “I am placed in a most embarrassing situation. I find myself bound, in a measure, to make love to a young, beautiful, and wealthy lady, and bribed magnificently to try and win her, involving her in pecuniary loss if I fail to gain her hand and heart, when——”
“You speak as if something interfered to hinder you from carrying out the agreeable wishes of the late Mr. Vere Gardiner.”
“The strongest possible reason hinders me.”
“You would not allude to a hindrance were it not your intention to enlighten me.”
“The hindrance is the most valid and insuperable one that could exist. I am already married!”