"Come in here," he said. He entered the drawing-room, and Alexina followed like a culprit led to the bar. Nevertheless, it crossed her mind that he wanted the moral support of a mantelpiece.
She almost stumbled into a chair. Mortimer did not avail himself of the chimneypiece toward which he had unconsciously gravitated, but walked back and forth. Two electric lights hidden under lamp shades were burning, but the large room was rather somber.
Alexina composed herself once more with a violent effort and asked in a crisp tone: "Well? What is this mystery? Are you in love with some one else? Been, making love—"
"Alexina!"
He confronted her with stricken eyes. "You know that I am literally incapable of such a thing. But of course you were jesting."
"Of course. But something is so manifestly wrong with you, and … well … of course you would be justified."
"Not in my own eyes. Besides, I shall never give up the hope of winning you back again. I live for that … although now! … that is the whole trouble…. How am I going to say it?"
"Well, let me help you out. You took the bonds."
"You've been to the bank! I wanted to tell you first … the day you came back…. I couldn't…."
"There is only one thing I am really curious about. How did you get in?
Of course you knew where I kept the key, but—"