"Why didn't you cable?—or wire from Calcutta?" he asked through white lips.
Joyce looked in scornful silence at him and then said with a perceptible shrug, "I am glad I did neither."
"Things look pretty bad against me, I admit," he said bitterly. "Is it any use for me to ask you not to judge me too hastily? The situation you surprised was not of my creating."
Joyce laughed suddenly, a strained and mirthless laugh as she mentally recalled the words, "The woman gave me, and I did eat."
"Judge you hastily? Such a situation requires no explanation. It is plainly a confession of guilt, or it could not have been."
"By that do you mean you will take action?"
"Action?—do you mean, divorce you?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps you would like to marry Mrs. Dalton if her husband gives her up!" she said bitterly, hardly recognising the tones of her own voice.
"Good God!—never!" he shuddered involuntarily.