"No, he could not: he is in prison. But your daughter and I have met under conditions that compel me to ask her now not to interfere in the efforts I shall make to secure his release."
"Please go!" broke in Rosalind, and she moved as if to summon a servant.
"I am not here from choice," sneered Hylda. "I have really come to plead for Mr. Osborne. If you care for him as you say you do I want you to understand two things: first, that your pursuit is in vain, since he has given his word to marry me within a week, and, secondly, that any further interference in his affairs on your part may prove disastrous to him. You cannot pretend that I have not warned you. Had you taken my advice the other day, Rupert would not now be under arrest."
Mrs. Marsh was sallow with indignation, but Rosalind, though tingling in every fiber, controlled herself sufficiently to utter a dignified protest.
"You had something else in your mind than Mr. Osborne's safety in coming here today: I do not believe one word you have said," she cried.
"Oh, but you shall believe. Wait one short week——"
"I shall not wait one short hour. Mr. Osborne's arrest is a monstrous blunder, and I am going this instant to demand his release."
"He has not taken you into his confidence, it would seem. Were it not for his promise to me you would still be locked in your den at Poland Street."
"Some things may be purchased at a price so degrading that a man pays and remains silent. If Mr. Osborne won my liberty by the loss of his self-respect I am truly sorry for him, but the fact, if it is a fact, only strengthens my resolution to appeal to the authorities in his behalf."
"You can achieve nothing, absolutely nothing," shrilled Hylda vindictively.