Before he could make any reply, Frank stepped between them, and with crimson face and flashing eyes confronted him.
"Yes! what does this mean, Mr. Adelstone?" he echoed. "Why have you brought us here—entrapped us?"
Jasper Adelstone just glanced at him, then looked at Stella—pale, beautiful and indignant.
"I fear I have offended you," he said, in a low, clear voice, his eyes fixed with concentrated watchful intentness on her face.
"Offended!" echoed Stella, with mingled surprise and anger. "There is no question of offense, Mr. Adelstone. This—this that you have done is an insult!"
And her face flushed hotly.
He shook his head gravely, and his hands clasped themselves behind his back, where they pecked at each other in his effort to remain calm and self-possessed under her anger and scorn.
"It is not an insult; it was not intended as an insult. Stella——"
"My name is Etheridge, Mr. Adelstone," Stella broke in, calmly and proudly. "Be good enough to address me by my title of courtesy and surname."
"I beg your pardon," he said, in slow tones. "Miss Etheridge, I am aware that the step I have taken—and I beg you to mark that I do not attempt to deny that it is through my order that you are here——"