"By becoming Joad's wife?"
"No; by seeing Lady Burville."
He looked at her in surprise.
"My dear Dora," said he after a pause, "you have no reasonable excuse for seeking an interview with Lady Burville."
"You have just given me an excellent excuse, Allen--the pearl brooch."
"But Lady Burville will know that I have betrayed her."
"No doubt. But I will show her that you have done so to save your own life."
Allen thought.
"What do you intend to do?" he asked abruptly.
"Force Lady Burville to confess her share in these mysteries."