"Yes, that's all very well. But what is it? This sudden discovery of my value means you want something."
She put her mouth close to his ear and whispered again. A very low whisper; he only just caught it:
"Don't let him go, Dick."
"Let who go?"
She knew that to be an evasion; that he was wilfully misunderstanding her. Just shook him and whispered earnestly:
"Please!"
Dick was magnanimous; he could afford to be. His deep-laid scheme had proved successful.
"Well, I'll see what I can do. But what are you going to do about the Chantrelles?"
A change came over her face; every scrap of softness seemed to fade out of it. In a voice full of determination she said:
"The Chantrelles will leave here before the day is over!"