"Oh, no. But I demand to have Mr. Adair sit down and answer them."
"Would you believe him if he did?"
"Facts are facts. He can't deny them."
"And you called me unreasonable? Oh, Papa!"
Mr. Ladd ignored the taunt.
"When he appreciates that his whole disreputable past is known to me," he went on, with the same inflexible composure, "he may condescend to consider--an arrangement."
"An arrangement?--What do you mean?"
"I have brought a blank check with me," he explained. "He can name anything--and get it. I'd rather pay more now than less later."
His brutality overwhelmed her. It took her a few seconds to understand the incredible baseness he imputed to Adair. In the light of this her father's previous insults paled to insignificance. She was too stunned to make any reply, and for a while could do nothing but look at him in speechless wonder. Then she rose, and rang the bell.
"The marriage could be annulled," said Mr. Ladd, oblivious of everything except his one preoccupation. "The next thing is to keep the newspapers quiet, and that I can do. We'll go abroad--"