Constance's tone had become hard again. Her eyes were averted, her lips set in their firmest lines.
"Are you quite sure of that?"
"Quite," was the decisive reply.
"How do you reconcile that with what has passed today between Lady Ogram and me?"
"It was between Lady Ogram and you," said Constance, subduing her voice.
"I see. You mean that I alone am concerned; that your position will in no case be affected?"
"Yes, I mean that," answered Constance, quietly.
Lashmar thought for a moment, then moved on his chair, and spoke in a low tone, which seemed addressed to his hearer's sympathy.
"Perhaps you are right. Probably you are. But there is one thing of which I feel every assurance. If it becomes plain that her project must come to nothing, Lady Ogram's interest in me is at an end. I may say good-bye to Hollingford."
"You are mistaken," replied Constance, in a voice almost of indifference.