"Why, what is there to answer?"
"I ask you— Are you Lieutenant Kingsland's wife?" he repeated harshly—betraying the first sign of temper he had so far evinced, which Miss Fitzgerald saw and was quick to profit by. Whatever was coming—there was, in Lady Isabelle's presence, but one course open to her—she looked her accuser boldly in the face and said:
"No, I'm not Lieutenant Kingsland's wife."
"You are quite sure of what you are saying?"
"I repeat, I am not his wife. I have not married him, put it how you please. Do you doubt my word? If you're so anxious to know whom Lieutenant Kingsland married, ask your fiancée, Lady Isabelle; perhaps she can tell you."
"It's not necessary to ask Lady Isabelle if she is Lieutenant Kingsland's wife—because——"
"Because she has already told you so," broke in Miss Fitzgerald.
"Because," continued Stanley, in the same colourless, dogged tone, "because Mr. Lambert, the one person who could have made Kingsland and Lady Isabelle man and wife, has solemnly assured me that he did not perform the marriage ceremony between them——" and he turned on his heel and left the room.