Winnington laid down his cigarette, and looked at her in open-mouthed amazement.
"Overdrawn!—but—we agreed—"
"I know. You gave me what you thought was ample. Well, I have spent it, and there is nothing left to pay house bills, or servants with, or—or anything."
Her pale defiance gave him at once a hint of the truth.
"I fear I must ask what it has been spent on," he said, after a pause.
"Certainly. I gave £500 of it in one cheque to Miss Marvell. Of course you will guess how it has been spent."
Winnington took up his cigarette again, and smoked it thoughtfully. His colour was, perhaps, a little higher than usual.
"I am sorry you have done that. It makes it rather awkward both for you and for me. Perhaps I had better explain. The lawyers have been settling the debts on your father's estate. That took a considerable sum. A mortgage has been paid off, according to directions in Sir Robert's will. And some of the death duties have been paid. For the moment there is no money at all in the Trust account. I hope to have replenished it by the New Year, when I understood you would want fresh funds."
He sat on the arm of a chair and looked at her quietly.
Delia made no attempt at explanation or argument. After a short silence, she said—