“Hold your tongue, Bridge!” said St. Quentin, but Sydney had already made a quick step towards Sir Algernon.
“Will you tell me, please, what I can do to save my cousin’s trouble?” she said simply. “I would do anything I could for him.”
“‘I do not believe one word you say against my cousin!’”
“Sydney!” cried St. Quentin hoarsely, but Sir Algernon had sprung forward and caught the girl’s hands in his. “Sydney! would you? Shall I tell you?”
Her cousin’s voice behind her made her start; it was so full of concentrated fury. “Let her go, you scoundrel! Sydney, leave the room, dear; that man isn’t fit to speak to you!”
She pulled her hands away, and stood between the two, trembling from head to foot. Sir Algernon lost in his anger the last vestige of his self-control.