“Rule mustn’t hear of this,” said the Viscount grimly.
“No, of c-course he mustn’t, and that’s why I sent for you.”
“Horry, what happened in the saloon? Come, let me hear the whole of it!”
“It was d-dreadful! He said he w-was going to ravish me, and oh, Pel, it was just to revenge himself on R-Rulel So I p-pretended I m-might run away with him, and as soon as he turned his back, I hit him with the p-poker and escaped.”
The Viscount drew a sigh of relief. “That’s all, Horry?”
“No, it isn’t all,” said Horatia desperately. “My g-gown was torn when he k-kissed me, and though I d-didn’t know till I got home, my brooch fell out, and, P-Pel, he’s got it now!”
“Make yourself easy,” said the Viscount, getting up. “He won’t have it long.”
Catching sight of his face, which wore a starkly murderous expression, Horatia cried out: “What are you going to do?”
“Do?” said the Viscount, with a short, ugly laugh. “Cut the dog’s heart out!”
Horatia sprung up suddenly. “P-Pel, you can’t! For g-good-ness’ sake don’t fight him! You know he’s m-much better than you are, and only think of the scandal! P-Pel, you’ll ruin me if you do! You can’t do it!”