"I believe you love the fellow still," said Balscombe, contemptuously.
"So much that I'm going to marry him," she replied.
"You may do so, if he escapes the gallows, which I doubt," retorted the baronet.
"I do not doubt," interposed Norwood quietly; "I am certain Mr. Desmond is innocent and could clear himself but for some absurd idea of honour."
"And what's all this got to do with me?" asked Balscombe haughtily.
"Simply this, that I have reason to believe Lady Balscombe had something to do with the case."
"Lady Balscombe!" echoed Sir Rupert, turning pale with fury. "Take care, sir, take care. My affairs have nothing to do with you, and Lady Balscombe's folly is quite apart from this--this murder."
"I think not," answered Norwood quietly, "for in my opinion Lady Balscombe left this house and went to Lord Calliston's chambers on the night of the murder and saw Mr. Desmond."
"Did Mr. Desmond tell you this?" said Balscombe in a nervous voice.
"No, Mr. Desmond refuses to tell anything," rejoined Norwood, "but I am certain it was Lady Balscombe, and as you came up from Berkshire on that night I thought you might tell me at what hour Lady Balscombe went out?"