'What do you know of Valerie?' she asked coldly.
'Very little, but——'
'Thanks! I know her better than you do. I don't choose that she should amuse herself at my expense.
As it is, she has brought most of this trouble upon me.'
Rallywood may have been sagacious enough on some points, but on this particular one he was a fool. He was not at all aware that Madame de Sagan with her innocent eyes and small brain was sifting him.
'But she meant to defend you!' he exclaimed.
She laughed softly, and if a woman could have compassed the ruin of a man by means of love and temptation, Rallywood was lost from that hour, for the rivalry of Valerie Selpdorf added the one incentive of bitter resolve that drives such slight-brained jealous souls to the last limit of reckless endeavour.
'When I find myself in danger I will remind you of the firefly, and you will come then, Jack!' she said, 'you promise?'
'When you want me, I will come—as soon as I may.'
'But that is only half a promise.'