"Yesterday, at my office. Didn't you know that she and your brother had called?"
Lorelei shook her head; she felt sick with dread of his next words.
"It was very—unpleasant, I fear, for all of us."
"What did they—want?" The girl was still smiling, but her lips beneath the paint were dry.
"They felt that I had—er—involved you in a great deal of notoriety. From what they said I judged that you shared their feelings." He paused awkwardly once more, and she motioned him to continue. "We didn't get on very well, especially your brother and I; for he presumed to—criticize my relations with you and—er—my motive in taking you to ride the other night. I believe I was quite rude to him; in fact, I had the watchman eject him, not daring to trust myself."
"They asked for—money?" Lorelei averted her face, for she could not bear to meet his frank eyes.
"Yes—what I considered a great deal of money. I understood they represented you. They didn't insist, however; they offered me a choice."
"Choice? Of what?"
"Well—I inferred that marriage would undo the wrong I had—"
"Oh-h!" Lorelei rose with a gasp. Bravely she stilled the tremor of her lips. "Tell me—the rest."