"Yes, monsieur, Mees Rushford," and Pelletan stepped to one side, disclosing Sue.
CHAPTER XX
The Dowager's Bombshell
She came no farther than the threshold and looked only at her father, though her eyes were shining with the consciousness of some one else's presence in the room—some one whom she had not in the least expected to find there.
"Come, dad," she said. "Don't waste your time here. They're not worth it," and she held out her hand to him.
But Vernon flung himself between them.
"He shall not go," he cried, "until he has heard me. It is all a mistake—I see now where this detestable adventure in diplomacy has led me. My dear sir, if I were what you think me, I should deserve every word you have uttered to me—and more. But I am not married—I have never been married—I had hoped—"
"Wait a minute," interrupted Rushford. "Don't go too fast. Come here,
Susie, and help me to understand."
Could Sue, as she came forward, have seen the gaze which Prince Frederick bent upon her, her heart might have relented a little toward him; but she did not see—she had eyes only for her father.
"Now go ahead," said he, when he had his arm safely around her, "and be careful, sir," he added. "We want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."