"Do you think he'll admit your right to dictate?"
"I don't imagine it will be news to him that you're my wife, if that's what you mean. Your friend the actor seems to have been tolerably busy crowing about his conquest of Mrs. Bellamy Druce—always, of course, in strictest confidence. Zinn knew all about you before I appeared on the scene. And Nolan was Summerlad's bosom pal...."
The thrust told shrewdly, rewarding Bel with a fugitive moment of sardonic satisfaction. Then the courage with which Lucinda took punishment exacted his admiration.
"But I'm afraid," she said quietly, "you won't have much success with Nolan, even if he does recognize your right to interfere."
"How so?"
"He has too little reason to feel well-disposed toward me."
"On account of your quarrel with him yesterday...."
"I didn't know you knew."
"Who in Hollywood doesn't, do you suppose?" Bel snorted. "Gossip travels like grass fire, out here. I heard five different versions yesterday, myself, before your cameraman told mine what I imagine was the approximate truth."
"Then I presume you know, as well, about my new arrangement, with Mr. Zinn taking over the production?"