“Then you’ve known?”
“Yes, I’ve known.” Helen did not flinch. “I’ve suspected.”
“Why have you allowed me to come here, then?”
“Because,” Helen replied, slowly, as if measuring her words, “I thought you would never dare to speak to me as you’ve just done. And if you go on I shall have to call my husband. Before that becomes necessary I must ask you to leave here.”
West assumed an attitude of contemptuous indifference. “Thank you, but I prefer to stay.”
“You will not go?”
West folded his arms. “No.”
Helen turned toward the electric bell.
“Don’t touch that bell,” said West, authoritatively.
She faced him as if fascinated. He could hear her breathe. “Now, you won’t call the servants, and you won’t tell your husband anything about this conversation. In the first place, your servants are really my servants.”