"I heard you—you were calling for Cort. I'm not going to be a fool any longer."
He turned away from her and went toward the door, while she got up with some dignity and walked to the fireplace.
"You're going—to Mrs. Cheyne?" she asked coldly.
"If I like," defiantly. "This game works both ways."
"Yes, I see. There's some method in your madness after all."
"I don't see why you should care—since I don't object to Bent. Mrs. Cheyne is a friend of mine. She's investing in my company——"
"Evidently," with scorn. "No doubt you make it profitable to her."
"We won't talk about Mrs. Cheyne. You don't like her. I do. You like Cort Bent. I don't. And there we are. We understand each other. It's the first time in our lives we ever have. I don't question you, and you're not to question me. All I ask is that you hide your trail, as I'll hide mine. I have some big interests at stake, and I don't want any scandal hanging around my name—or yours. I'm giving you into the hands of my enemies. The father wants to ruin my business, the son to ruin my wife. I'll fight General Bent with his own weapons. The son——"
"You're insulting," she broke in. "Will you go?"
He turned at the door—his face pale with fury.