"Forgive me," he said quietly, "but by what authority do you ask?"
For a second he thought she would strike him. The cold fury of the pale peaked face, the haughty set of the lips, the blaze of the great brown eyes, heralded violence….
Every never moved.
With a sudden movement André turned her head to stare into the distance. At length—
"I've lost all I had in this estate—this venture … and a lot that—that wasn't mine," she said slowly. "Is that good enough?"
Before the weariness of her tone, Every's resentment went down with a rush.
"I'm most awfully sorry," he said gently. "I'd no idea of this. I don't think any one has. Of course, if I'd known for a moment that you were—er—interested, I shouldn't have dreamed of moving in the matter without your consent." He hesitated. Then— "But surely you can recover something. I mean, the place can be sold, and I'm sure the solicitors would see to it that you——"
André gave a dry laugh.
"I hardly think they'd allow my claim," she said shortly.
Every swallowed before replying.