"It—it was at the ball last n-night. I—I—no, first James proposed—to me, and I said yes, but I didn't mean it!"
"You said yes, but you didn't mean it?"
"I didn't hear what he said—I—I said yes because he worried so! And—and he knew I didn't mean it, for he walked away. Then I—I—went with Sir Deryk to a room apart—"
"Cle-one!"
"Oh, I know, I know! It was terrible of me, but I was so upset—I hardly cared what I did!"
"But why were you upset? Because James had proposed?"
"No—I—I—something—else—I can't tell you! Anyway—Sir Deryk took me to this room, and—and taught me to—to dice—yes, I know it was horrid! And—and I lost my rose to him, and when he—was taking it, he broke the string of my locket, and he wouldn't give it me, but said he must see what was inside, and I couldn't let him! I couldn't!"
"What was inside?" asked Sir Maurice.
"For heaven's sake, don't ask her that!" begged Lady Malmerstoke. "It sets her off into floods of tears!"
"Aunt, please! And—and so I played him—for it—and I lost and had to—to kiss him—for it. Don't, don't look at me! And then—and then he came—with James—and saw! What he must think of me! And I said that he—Oh, he must—"