He complied. Nick went straight to Olga. "Olga," he said, "for Heaven's sake, be reasonable! Give him a chance to set things straight!"
It was urgently spoken. His hand, vital and very insistent, closed upon one of hers, drawing it down from her face.
She looked at him with hunted eyes. "Nick," she said, "tell him—to go!"
"I can't, dear," he made answer. "You've made an accusation that no man could take lying down. You'll have to face it out now."
"But it's the truth!" she said.
"It's a damnable lie!" said Nick.
"Nick," it was Max's voice measured and deliberate, "will you leave me to deal with this?"
Olga's hand turned in Nick's and clung to it. "You needn't go, Nick," she said hurriedly.
"Yes, I'm going," said Nick. "You can come to me afterwards if you like.
I shall be in my room."
He squeezed her hand and relinquished it. His yellow face was full of kindness, but she saw that he would not be persuaded to remain. In silence she watched him go.