"A friend," she interrupted, in a low vibrating tone. "Yes, a friend who is one in name only."
"I don't understand you," said Basil politely. "What do you know of the friendship existing between myself and Dr. Nestley?"
"I know everything--yes everything--in his delirium he revealed more than he would have done----"
"Delirium--pshaw!"
"What he said then was confirmed by his own lips afterwards when he was sensible," she answered in a perfectly cool manner, "and I know how much your friendship has cost him--how you tried to drag him down to the lowest depths of iniquity. God knows for what end----"
Beaumont laughed in a sneering way, and leaned his shoulders comfortably against the mantelpiece.
"You seem to be in the confidence of our mutual friend," he said, in an easy tone. "May I ask why?"
"Because I am going to be his wife," replied Cecilia, while a flood of crimson rushed over the pure white of her face.
"His wife--a blind girl?"
"Blind as I am he loves me," she said indignantly, "and I can protect him against you, Mr. Beaumont."