"I said not one word to Lord Severance about suspecting my—Major Garth," Marise broke out in self-defence.
"Didn't you?" echoed Zélie. "Well, that's funny, since he sent up his card and told me you were wild. He urged and urged, if I had any friendship for Jack Garth, to write and get you here."
"That's very strange," said Marise. "But I suppose—one must suppose!—he meant well. Now I am here, if you have anything to tell me you might as well tell it."
"Does Jack know you've come?" asked Zélie quietly.
"He does. We were talking about you when your note arrived. You see, Lord Severance mentioned that you were at the hotel."
"Then why did you want to talk with me? Surely you'd believe Jack? I shouldn't think anyone ever accused him of lying!"
"I never did! But I—well, when your note came I thought I'd rather hear everything from you. It wouldn't have occurred to me otherwise."
"You mean you wouldn't have proposed coming over here if I hadn't written?"
"I shouldn't even have thought of it."
"Then it's a game of Lord Severance's we seem to be playing."