At her expectant glance, Mr. Leslie started for the door of the cardroom. As he went out and closed the door, Mrs. Gantry took the chair on the other side of the table from Blake, and explained in a confidential tone: "It is about this unfortunate situation."
Blake stared at her, with a puzzled frown. "Unfortunate what?"
"Unfortunate situation," she replied, making an effort to moderate her superciliousness to mere condescension. "I assure you, I too have learned that first impressions may err. I cannot now believe that you are torturing my niece purposely."
Blake roused up on the instant, for the first time wide awake.
"What!" he demanded. "I—torturing—her?"
"Most unfortunately, that is, at least, the effect of the situation."
"But I—I don't understand! What is it, anyhow? I'd do anything to save her the slightest suffering!"
"Ah!" said Mrs. Gantry, and she averted her gaze.
"Don't you believe me?" he demanded.
"To be sure—to be sure!" she hastened to respond. "Had I not thought you capable of that, I should not have troubled to speak to you."