The White Room

by Fergus Hume

"Bah!" he turned his back roughly on her. "You are of no use to me."

"But I may be," said Miss Doon meaningly.

"Yes. If you like. Do you know what I want?"

"You want to make out that Mrs. Fane was singing in the room."

Bocaros nodded. "I know Mrs. Fane was supposed to be at the seaside. But you told Jasher that you did something for Mrs. Fane, and would not betray her. What was it you did?"

"I said I would not betray her," said Emily, not seeing how the affair would turn out to her advantage.

"Then you will never be my wife."

"If you loved me----"

"It is not a question of love," he interrupted imperiously. "How can I marry you and bring you to this hovel?"

"I should not come. Give me a good home and----"