Eddie Helston glanced at the fine form and stiffened bearing of his host, understood that his presence counted for something in the annoyance of Ashe's expression, and departed abashed.
"I should like to see that paper, Kitty, if you don't mind."
His frown and straightened lip brought fresh wildness into Kitty's expression.
"It is my property." She kept one hand behind her.
"I heard you just disavow that."
Kitty laughed angrily.
"Yes—that's the worst of Lord Parham—one has to tell so many lies for his beaux yeux!"
"You must give it me, please," said Ashe, quietly. "I ought to know where I am with Lord Parham. He is clearly bitterly offended—by something, and I shall have to apologize."
Kitty breathed fast.
"Well, don't let's quarrel before the county!" she said, as she turned aside into a shrubbery walk edged by clipped yews and hidden from the big lawn. There she paused and confronted him. "How did you know I wrote it?"