"Oh no, I haven't. I have been bluffing you, as I said. Edwin's life is quite safe from you, Lady Wyke."
"Is it, when I have that letter?"
"I defy you to produce that letter." retorted Claudia, arranging the veil round her head, and looking in the mirror over the fireplace. "If you do, there will be trouble. Edwin has a good defence, as I have proved to you. No jury would convict him when no reason can be shown for the commission of the crime of which you accuse him."
"He ran away; he ran away," panted Lady Wyke, who felt her defeat sorely and physically.
"I daresay he did, because he lost his head for the moment. But he has found it now, remember."
"I shall see Sergeant Purse to-morrow and show him that letter," said the hostess, viciously, and stood up to smooth her ruffled plumes at the mirror as her rival had done.
"Well, do so. You won't get Edwin in that way?"
"We'll see."
"Yes. We'll see. Good-bye, Lady Wyke, you'd better go to bed. I shan't detain you any longer," and Claudia moved majestically towards the door.
"Wait, I won't show that letter."