"Why should I help you? How do you know that I take any interest in—in these two persons?"
"You forget," he said, softly. "I saw your face."
She started. There was something in the bold audacity of the man that proved him the master.
"If I admit that I do take some interest, what proof have I that I shall be following that interest by confiding in you?" she asked, haughtily, but less haughtily than hitherto.
"I can give you a sufficient proof," he said, quietly. "I—love—her."
She started. There was so calm and cool and yet intense an expression in his voice.
"You love her?" she repeated. "The girl who has just left us?"
"The young lady," he said, with a slight emphasis, "who has just plighted her troth to Lord Leycester Wyndward."
There was silence for a moment. His direct statement of the case had told on her.