"Oh, dear, no. But it would be unpleasant for my daughter to have a husband mixed up with such a shady affair."
"I am not mixed up with it, Mrs. Ward."
"It's unpleasant," said Mrs. Ward, willfully holding to her opinion. "I don't like it. Find out who killed that woman and I say nothing. But until you do find out, and until the assassin is brought to justice, I must ask you to discontinue your visits to Dorothy."
Brendon saw that she was simply making an excuse to rid herself of his presence so as to leave the way clear for Walter Vane. But he was too strong a man to be foiled in this way, and speedily made up his mind how to act. "Shall we leave the matter to Miss Ward?"
"That means you wish to see her," said the mother cleverly. "Oh, well, there is no reason why you should not. But it will be for the last time, remember. Your character must bear inspection."
"I think it does," cried George, rather nettled.
Mrs. Ward, who by this time was nearly at the door, turned lightly and replied, in her most kittenish way, "Ah, my dear Mr. Brendon, I know more than you think. Lola Velez----"
"Lola Velez." George looked and felt uneasy.
"You change color. Oh, I have heard all about you and that dancer."
"I assure you that my connection with that lady is perfectly innocent."