"Oh, then it's that detestable Major Hunt-Goring!" said Olga, adding quickly: "Please forgive me for running down your guest; but he really is a hateful man."
"I don't care for him myself, dear," said Daisy.
"He has only come here to make mischief," said Olga, with conviction. "I guessed it the moment I saw him. He hates me because—because—" she faltered a little—"because I wouldn't marry him. As if I possibly could!" she ended fierily. "And as if he would have really liked it if I had!"
"Oh, is that it?" said Daisy, in a tone of enlightenment.
Olga nodded. "He's a beast, Mrs. Musgrave. And what has he been telling you about Max?"
Daisy hesitated. She was assailed by sudden misgiving. Was it all a ruse? She did not trust Major Hunt-Goring. She believed him fully capable of vindictiveness, and yet, so subtle had been his strategy, he had not seemed vindictive. He had repeated the story idly in the first place, and, finding she took it seriously, he had advised her to hold her peace. No, she would do him justice at least. She was convinced that he had not been deliberately malicious in this case. It had not been his intention to work evil.
"Tell me what he said!" said Olga.
Her tone was imperative; yet Daisy still hesitated. "Do you know, dear,
I don't think I will," she said.
"Please—you must!" said Olga, with decision. "It concerns me as much as it does him."
"I am not sure that it really concerns either of you," Daisy said. "It was just a piece of gossip which may—or may not—have had any foundation."