‘You can tell me, please, what sort of connection there is between you and my niece, Miss. Lord.’
Mrs. Damerel was obviously annoyed by his demeanour, and made little effort to disguise her feeling. She gave him the look of one who does not mean to be trifled with.
‘Really,’ answered the young man with a smile, ‘I don’t know what authority you have to make such inquiries. You are not, I believe, Miss. Lord’s guardian.’
‘No, but I am her only relative who can act on her behalf where knowledge of the world is required. As a gentleman, you will bear this in mind. It’s quite true that I can’t oblige you to tell me anything; but when I say that I haven’t spoken even to my niece of what I have heard, and haven’t communicated with the gentlemen who are her guardians, I think you will see that I am not acting in a way you ought to resent.’
‘You mean, Mrs. Damerel, that what passes between us is in confidence?’
‘I only mean, Mr. Tarrant, that I am giving you an opportunity of explaining yourself—so that I can keep the matter private if your explanation is satisfactory.’
‘You have a charge of some kind to bring against me,’ said Tarrant composedly. ‘I must first of all hear what it is. The prisoner at the bar can’t be prosecuting counsel at the same time.’
‘Do you acknowledge that you are on intimate terms with Miss. Lord?’
‘I have known her for a year or two.’
Tarrant began to exercise caution. Nancy had no hand in this matter; some one had told tales about her, that was all. He must learn, without committing himself, exactly how much had been discovered.