‘She was alone?’
‘Her maid was below.’
‘And this happened...?’
‘Yesterday, after dark. My Ned—Captain Marsett encourages him to be familiar. I should be the lowest of women if I feared the threats of such a reptile of a man. I could tell you more. I can’t always refuse his visits, though if Ned knew the cur he is! Captain Marsett is easy-going.’
‘I should like to know where he lives.’
She went straight to the mantelpiece, and faced about with a card, handing it, quite aware that it was a charge of powder.
Desperate things to be done excused the desperate said; and especially they seemed a cover to the bald and often spotty language leaping out of her, against her better taste, when her temper was up.
‘Somewhere not very distant,’ said Dartrey perusing. ‘Is he in the town to-day, do you know?’
‘I am not sure; he may be. Her name...’
‘Have no fear. Ladies’ names are safe.’