"Something disgraceful?" interrupted Mrs. Darche whose excitement was only increased by his hesitation. "For heaven's sake, do not keep me in this suspense. Speak! Tell me! Be quick!"
"I should not have spoken at all except as your adviser," said Brett. "Nothing definite is known yet, but something is wrong. As a purely business transaction it is madness to lend money to John Darche. Can you believe for a moment that the treasurer of such a Company, that the men who control such a Company, would ask you to lend them a hundred thousand dollars at a few hours' notice, if they were not on the very verge of ruin?"
"No, but that is not what happened."
She stopped short and moved away from him a little, hesitating as to what she should say next. It was impossible to describe to him the scene which had taken place between her and her husband.
"I cannot tell you, and yet I want you to know," she said, at last.
"Do you not trust me?" said Brett, hoping to encourage her.
"Certainly. Trust you! Oh yes, I trust you with all my heart."
She turned and faced him again.
"Then tell me," said he. "Tell me what happened in as few words as possible. Just the bare facts."
"It is the bare facts that are so hard to tell."