"He was a very interesting man," she said at last. "I liked to talk to him."
The Coroner bent a little nearer.
"Well, now, a more personal question," he said suavely. "You will see the importance of it. Mr. Wallingford was constantly visiting you. I want a plain answer to what I am going to ask you. Was he a suitor for your hand?"
Mrs. Saumarez's cheeks flushed, and she looked down at the ungloved hand which rested, pressed on its gloved fellow, on the ledge before her.
"He certainly asked me to marry him," she murmured.
"When was that?"
"Not—not long before his death."
"And—I'm afraid I must ask you—what was your answer?"
"I refused his offer."
"Did that make any difference to your friendship?"