The hot colour began to fade out of her cheeks. "Yes," she said, under her breath.
"He said—you know his breezy style: 'Don't be astonished! Miss Ratcliffe and I understand one another. In fact, we've been more or less engaged for a long time, though it isn't generally known.'"
"Max!" Olga started back as if from a blow. "He never said—that!"
"Yes, he did. I guessed it was a lie," said Max, "in spite of appearances."
She winced. "It is a lie!" she said with vehemence. "You—you told him so?"
"I was not in a position to do that," said Max. "But if you authorize me to do so—"
"Yes—yes?" she said feverishly.
"I can only do it if you accept my condition," he said.
"That means you want me to tell you everything," she said.
"No, it doesn't. I know quite as much as I need to know, and I shan't believe anything he may be pleased to say on the subject. It's up to you to tell me as much or as little as you like. No, the condition is this, and there is nothing in it that you need jib at. If you really want me to give him the lie, you must furnish me with full authority. You must put me in a position to do it effectually."