“Surely you cannot object to Mr. Gaunt’s wish to help the natives? His purpose is a noble one and worthy of the admiration of all good women,” he answered simply.
“I have never pretended to be a good woman, Mr. Drake. But you have not answered my question. Why is all this publicity necessary?” she persisted.
Drake did not reply, and she smiled faintly when she saw that all his attention was fixed on Lady Ethel and his brother. For an instant he was off his guard, and she read the secret which he had not dared yet to admit to himself.
Edward Drake loved the young girl to whose face animation gave an additional beauty. And he was thinking that she had never showed to him the evident liking she felt for his brother. As he watched them talking eagerly it seemed to him that they might have been friends for years and he uttered a faint sigh.
“I asked you a question,” Lady Mildred said pointedly.
“I really beg your pardon. I fear that my thoughts were wandering,” he cried hastily.
“Does my husband intend to return to the Congo?” she asked and her voice scarcely rose above a whisper.
Drake was astonished and for a few moments did not reply. It had been easy to guess that the relations between Gaunt and his wife were strained, and he did not know how far the millionaire intended to give Lady Mildred his confidence.
“Don’t you think that you should ask your husband?” he suggested quietly.
The reproach was delicately veiled, yet it was none the less present, and she was quick to feel it. In an instant her pride was in arms and when she spoke her voice was very cold.