"I do mean it. Audrey has disobeyed me, and, moreover, in conjunction with you, she has accused me of committing a murder."
"I did not--I did not!" cried Audrey, wringing her hands.
"Pardon me, but you did," said Branwin, still ironically polite. "You can take your own way henceforth, and I should advise you to change your name as speedily as possible. You can't possibly care to keep my name, when I am in danger of arrest as the murderer of my own wife. Mr. Shawe"--he bowed to the barrister--"I congratulate you on your approaching marriage."
"But, Sir Joseph--"
"Not a word more. My doors are closed on that woman"--he pointed insultingly to Audrey. "Good-night--both of you!" and with a final bow he walked heavily out of the room. A moment later, and they heard the door bang.
[CHAPTER XVII.]
WHAT AUDREY OVERHEARD
The two young people remained alone, looking at one another, and feeling quite aghast at the position in which they now found themselves. They had not expected Sir Joseph's appearance, much less that he would behave in so brutal a manner. Moreover, he had repelled the hinted accusation so calmly, and had admitted so freely that he had been in Walpole Lane, that both Audrey and Ralph felt certain he was completely innocent. Certainly, they had not directly accused him of committing the crime--the girl especially would have been horrified at the mere idea--but Sir Joseph had taken what they said to mean that they suspected him, and so had revenged himself in the cruel way he had done.
The bang of the door startled both from the momentary state of stupor into which the unexpected behaviour of Branwin had plunged them. Audrey, with a white face and startled eyes, looked at her lover. "What is to be done now?" she asked in a low voice.
"You must drive back home at once," said Ralph, determinedly.