‘A decent man,’ said the listener, ‘would never have allowed her to fall into disgrace.’
‘Certainly not,’ Crewe assented with energy. ‘And as for my keeping quiet about it, Mrs. Damerel, you’ve only to think what an awkward affair it was to mention. I’m quite sure you’ll have a little feeling against me, because I knew of it—’
‘I beg you not to think that!’ She returned to her manner of suave friendliness. ‘I shall owe you gratitude for telling me, and nothing but gratitude. You have behaved with very great delicacy; I cannot say how highly I appreciate your feeling on the poor girl’s behalf.’
‘If I can be of any use, I am always at your service.’
‘Thank you, dear Mr. Crewe, thank you! In you I have found a real friend,—and how rarely they are met with! Of course I shall make inquiries at once. My niece must be protected. A helpless girl in that dreadful position may commit unheard-of follies. I fear you are right. He is making her his victim. With such a secret, she is absolutely at his mercy. And it explains why she has shunned me. Oh, do you think her brother knows it?’
‘I’m quite sure he doesn’t; hasn’t the least suspicion.’
‘Of course not. But it’s wonderful how she has escaped. Your informant—how did she find it out? You say she had the story from the girl’s own lips. But why? She must have shown that she knew something.’
Crewe imparted such details as had come to his knowledge; they were meagre, and left many obscurities, but Mrs. Damerel rewarded him with effusive gratitude, and strengthened the spell which she had cast upon this knight of Farringdon Street.