"Well, Miss Bellin, we will waive that point for the present. I will call the man to whom you are engaged Francis."
"As he is," she interpolated imperiously.
I let the remark pass, and went on with my speech. "You will no doubt think me highly impertinent, but I wish to warn you against the so-called Francis Briarfield."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Simply this. While at the Fen Inn I was waited on by a woman who called herself Rose Strent. That woman is now in town acting at the Frivolity Theater under the name of Rose Gernon."
"And what have I to do with such a creature?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"Nothing, but your lover has everything to do with her."
"Mr. Denham!"
We were both on our feet by this time, and she was looking at me with wrathful eyes. The crisis I so dreaded had come, but it was now too late to retreat, and there was no help for it but to go on.
"Be angry with me if you like, Miss Bellin," I said, as soon as I was able, "but it is in your own interest I speak."