She watched him as he replaced the cue in the rack, and her eyes twinkled with mischief.
“You are very easily discouraged. I thought better things of you, Mr. Drake,” she said with a laugh, but suddenly her face became grave and she approached more closely to him. “Would you mind telling me why you did not wish my sister to see the Baron de Croiseuil?”
Drake knew not what to say, for he could not tell her the real reason.
“I do not ask merely from curiosity. I am not quite a fool, although you may think that my intelligence is below the average, and I am not blind to what is going on. It seems to me that my sister and her husband are drifting apart and that you know the reason of it,” she said with unusual seriousness.
Still he did not answer, and she grew impatient.
“Am I not right? Mr. Gaunt has changed in a marvellous way since he has known you—and I wish you to take me into your confidence.”
“I can’t do so, Lady Ethel. I shall be grateful if you will change the subject. All I can say is that I will spare no effort to prevent any disagreement between Mr. Gaunt and his wife. But there are great issues at stake, and Lady Mildred must not be the only consideration,” he said earnestly.
“No issue can be so great as my sister’s happiness,” she answered impetuously.
“I do not agree with you, Lady Ethel. Please don’t say any more,” he said appealingly.
“I won’t for the present, but I am disappointed in you. Your brother would not have answered as you have done.”