“Miss Denville has dragged me into no serious affair. Her conduct to me has always been that of a refined and modest lady.”
“My dear boy! Have you forgotten that this has been going on between her and Rockley for months?”
“There is nothing between Major Rockley and Miss Denville,” said Richard hoarsely; and his cheeks began to burn and his eyes to flash.
“Dick! Have you forgotten the serenade that night?”
“Have I forgotten it!” cried Richard fiercely.
“Well, what does that show?”
“That this scoundrel—this roué—this libertine—dared to cast his vile eyes on as sweet and pure a girl as ever breathed. Look here, Colonel Mellersh—no, no—my dear old friend—I found that dog insulting Miss Denville.”
“Where?”
“Away there, beyond the Downs, out past the fishermen’s cottages.”
“How came Claire Denville out there alone with one of the wildest officers at the barracks?”