“Mr. Bleke,” said Lord Evenwood, sternly, “who is this woman?”
Roland uttered a kind of strangled cough.
“Are these letters in your handwriting?” asked Lady Kimbuck, almost cordially. She had seldom read better compromising letters in her life, and she was agreeably surprized that one whom she had always imagined a colorless stick should have been capable of them.
Roland nodded.
“Well, it's lucky you're rich,” said Lady Kimbuck philosophically. “What are you asking for these?” she enquired of Miss Chilvers.
“Exactly,” said Lord Evenwood, relieved. “Precisely. Your sterling common sense is admirable, Sophia. You place the whole matter at once on a businesslike footing.”
“Do you imagine for a moment——?” began Miss Chilvers slowly.
“Yes,” said Lady Kimbuck. “How much?”
Miss Chilvers sobbed.
“If I have lost him for ever——”