"Does it? I'm glad you think so."
"What do you allude to, Lady Ogram?" Lashmar inquired with grave respectfulness.
"What do you?"
"I was speaking of things at Hollingford."
"And I was thinking of things at Rivenoak."
Lashmar's brain worked feverishly. What did she know? If Constance had betrayed him, assuredly May also must have been put to the question, and with what result? He was spared long conjecture.
"Let us understand each other," said the autocrat, who seemed to be recovering strength as the need arose. "I hear that you want to break off with Constance Bride. She is no bride for you. Is that the case?"
"I am sorry to say it is the truth, Lady Ogram."
Having uttered these words, Dyce felt the heroic mood begin to stir in him. He had no alternative now, and would prove himself equal to the great occasion.
"You want to marry someone else?"