"The retort is unworthy of you," he said. "I assure you that Miss
Rushford was not in any sense a co-conspirator."
"Do you mean that she was ignorant of the deception you were playing?" demanded the Prince, quickly.
"No; she was not ignorant of that; but she—"
The Prince held up his hand with an imperious gesture.
"No more," he said; "if this is the explanation—confession—what you will—I repeat that I do not care to hear it."
"This is not it."
"It cannot, in any event, alter matters."
"I have no wish that it should alter matters, Your Highness!" retorted Vernon, proudly. "When I have offered you the greatest reparation in my power, it is ungenerous that you should—"
Again a knock interrupted him.
"Come in!" he called, recklessly.