"Nothing is settled," she said, in a cold, reluctant voice.
"Which means that you won't tell me anything more?"
She was silent. Her lip had a proud line which piqued him.
"You think I am not worthy to know?"
Her eye gleamed.
"What does it matter to you?"
"Oh, nothing! I should have been glad to hear that all was well, and Ashe's mind at rest about his prospects."
"His prospects!" she repeated, with a scorn which stung. "How dare we mention his name here at all?"
Cliffe reddened.
"I dare," he said, calmly.