"Politeness forbids my answering that question."
"I don't see what politeness has to do with this interview. Have you remained to make yourself disagreeable?"
"On my honour, no. You're a clever woman, Leah, and as a scamp's wife you have conducted yourself admirably."
"As I am now the scamp's widow, had that not better have been left unsaid?"
Frith shrugged in his turn. "I suppose so, since we have agreed to call black white. But I waited to say that I'll help you in any way you wish."
Leah was surprised, and touched. She and Frith had never been good friends. Apparently, he was not such a bad sort after all. But what was behind this offer? Her ineradicable suspicion of human nature made her doubt, though she spared him the question. "It is very good of you," said she, cordially, "but with the insurance money and this house, which your father says I can retain, I shall do very well. There is no need for you to open your purse, or your heart."
The Marquis hunched his shoulders and let them drop. "Hum," he repeated, biting his forefinger; "you will be marrying again?"
"What has that to do with you?" she flashed out, haughtily.
"Well, you bear our family name," he reminded her, "and Demetrius----"
Lady Jim felt qualmish. "Demetrius?" she echoed faintly. What could Frith possibly have to say about the prime mover in the plot?