Mrs. Pelham Odin smiled. "That is very clever of you," said she: "you appeal to my weakest side, which is vanity. Come sit down again, and tell me all about this dreadful murder."
"Will you assist me, if I do?"
"At least I won't betray you," rejoined the actress evasively, and arranged herself gracefully on the sofa. "Begin; I hang upon your every word." And she cast a glance at an imaginary audience to mark the effect of the speech.
Thinking that she might yield, for he had certainly aroused her curiosity, Gerald related all that had taken place. Mrs. Pelham Odin quite lost her stage airs and graces, so taken up was she with the narrative. "So you see that Arnold believes in Mavis' innocence as much as I do. And you believe also, Mrs. Pelham Odin. I see it in your eyes."
The actress closed them. "My eyes tell what my tongue would hide," she remarked, in measured tones. "Yes, I admit that your story puts the matter in a new light. I really think that I must assist this poor young creature, who is being persecuted by a cruel world."
"Bless you for a good woman," muttered Gerald, kissing her hand.
She pulled it away. "Don't make a mistake. I am playing to the gallery," she said, with an artificial laugh. "If Mavis is proved guiltless and you marry her with her income, it will be a great advertisement for me. And perhaps," added Mrs. Pelham Odin, with emphasis, "it may bring back to the public in a worthy fashion the name of one who was their idol for many, many brilliant and successful years. On the other hand if this girl really is insane, and guilty----"
"You will have acted in a way which no other woman would have done, and your conscience will reward you."
"I prefer the loaves and fishes," said the actress, smiling, "moreover, I admit that I am curious to see this girl, who--as you say--is so like Charity. Mavis came from India?"
"Yes--according to Major Rebb, who declares that her mother died in Bombay, when Mavis was born."