"I have played you no trick and you need not bluster and take that tone!" answered Mr. Sandford, angrily, his temper rising.
"I have your promise, in words, over and over again, in writing also; I insist on knowing how it all came about. You must have done your spiriting very ungently, perhaps said something unfavourable of me. I declare to you I cannot trust you."
"I never mentioned your name. Grace sent me nearly mad and I said something to her about leaving the house, then Margaret went with her."
"Is this the truth?"
"It is the truth."
"And her leaving this house had nothing to do with me?"
"Nothing whatever."
Mr. Drayton felt that, so far, all was well, but he would not betray any satisfaction to the man before him.
"Those investments I followed your advice about have brought me a loss," he said, after a pause, watching Mr. Sandford's face keenly.
"A loss?"