"Your handkerchief, I think," he said; "allow me to return it."
"Thank you!" replied Elise.
He was about to give it to her, when the door of the box opened and Clarence Holt entered.
The latter pretended to be profoundly astonished.
"Elise!" he exclaimed, "who is this man?"
The poor girl, terribly frightened, sank into a seat.
"Answer me!" continued Clarence, "I insist upon it, for it is my right."
Jack stepped up to him.
"You need not continue this farce, sir!" he said, "for you know perfectly well that my name is Harkaway, for you met me at the Cliff House this morning."
"I deny it. I never saw you before in my life, and I want you to be good enough to explain how it is that I find you alone in a private box with my wife?"