"No. She loves Mr. Mallow, Lord Caranby's nephew."
"She has a rival in Miss Saxon," said the detective.
Mrs. Herne turned red. "My niece fears no rival," she said haughtily. "Miss Saxon shall never be the wife of Mr. Mallow."
Jennings shrugged his shoulders. "I do not see how she can stop the affair."
"Oh yes, she can. The mother is on her side."
"Ah! I thought there was some work of that kind."
"Hear me!" cried Mrs. Herne, imposing silence with a gesture. "Basil Saxon is in love with Maraquito and she can twist the poor fool round her finger. She agrees to send him away if Mrs. Octagon stops this most absurd marriage."
"Which she has done."
"And which she will continue to do," said Mrs. Herne decisively; "the mother does not wish Basil to marry my niece, though she is quite as good as they if not better."
"Well," drawled Jennings, rising, "I now know why Mrs. Octagon has acted in this way. There's no more to be said."