Leslie’s eyes flashed and for a moment it seemed as if Kean’s admonitions were to go for naught, then he controlled himself with an effort.
“I was annoyed and wanted to walk it off.”
“What had happened to upset you?”
“I had had a difference of opinion with Lady Cynthia. We had been going for a walk together, but, owing to this, we parted, rather suddenly. I’d got the walk in my mind, I suppose, so when that happened I just went on by myself and tried to walk my temper off.”
“You are engaged to Lady Cynthia Bell, I believe?”
“Yes.”
“Was the difference of opinion you mentioned just now due to attentions you had been paying to another lady? Mrs. Draycott, for instance?”
Leslie stared blankly at his interrogator, a dark flush slowly mounting to his forehead.
“Good Lord, no!” he ejaculated.
“You say that you tried to walk off your anger. Was that anger directed against anybody in particular?”