Sir Rowland flattered himself upon the shrewdness with which he read her, never dreaming that he had but read just what she intended he should.
He stood squarely before her, shaking his great head. “Not plain enough for me,” he said. Then his tone softened to one of prayer. “Tell me,” he besought her.
“I can't! I can't!” she cried in feigned distress. “It were too disloyal.”
He frowned. He caught her arm and pressed it, his heart sick with jealous alarm. “What do you mean? Tell me, tell me, Mistress Horton.”
Diana lowered her eyes. “You'll not betray me?” she stipulated.
“Why, no. Tell me.”
She flushed delicately. “I am disloyal to Ruth,” she said, “and yet I am loath to see you cozened.”
“Cozened?” quoth he hoarsely, his egregious vanity in arms. “Cozened?”
Diana explained. “Ruth was at his house to-day,” said she, “closeted alone with him for an hour or more.”
“Impossible!” he cried.