“If your new company depends upon my putting up the money, you can forget it,” he said roughly. “I’ve seen my lawyer—at least, I’ve seen somebody who knows—and he tells me that if you’re trying to blackmail me about Tjarji, you’re liable to get into trouble yourself. I’ll put up money for you,” he went on. “Not a lot, but enough. I don’t suppose you’re a beggar, for I’ve given you sufficient already to start three companies. Stella, I’m crazy about that girl.”
She looked at him, her mouth open in surprise.
“What girl?” she asked.
“Adele. Isn’t that her name?—Adele Leamington.”
“Do you mean the extra girl that took my place?” she gasped.
He nodded, his sleepy eyes fixed on hers.
“That’s it. She’s my type, more than you ever were, Stella. And that isn’t meant in any way disparaging to you.”
She was content to listen: his declaration had taken her breath away.
“I’ll go a long way to get her,” he went on. “I’d marry her, if that meant anything to her—it’s about time I married, anyway. Now you’re a friend of hers——”
“A friend!” scoffed Stella, finding her voice. “How could I be a friend of hers when she has taken my place? And what if I were? You don’t suppose I should bring a girl to this hell upon earth?”