The girl stretched out her hand.
“Just hold my drink for a minute, will you?” she said.
Mechanically, Sir Hilton received the glass.
Elizabeth took off her pearls and slid an enormous emerald off her finger. She pitched the gems together at Shutter’s feet. Then she looked into his eyes.
“How I came to make such a mistake, I can’t conceive. I think I must have been mad. To be perfectly honest, I liked the idea of being rich. As far as you’re concerned, I’m not so terribly to blame, because, when you asked me to marry you, you dangled your rotten wealth before my eyes. You prayed it in aid of your suit. And I thought it was good enough, I did. . . . Well, I find I was wrong.”
“But, Elizabeth——”
“My good sir, I wouldn’t be seen dead with you.” She stretched out her hand. “Thank you.”
She took the glass from his fingers and flung the liquor in his face.
Sir Hilton recoiled and Madge Fairie started to her feet. Lady Elizabeth and Fairie stood perfectly still.
Floating from behind closed doors, the lilt of the latest fox-trot disputed possession of the silence with the pleasant flare and crackle of the logs in the grate.