"Oh, you idiot!"
While I still looked at her in equal amazement, she went on, "I beg your pardon, but you are so ridiculous that I had to say it. Why, I wasn't talking about you, but about Lord Ralles."
"Lord Ralles!" I cried.
"Yes."
"I don't understand," I exclaimed.
"Why, Lord Ralles has been—has been—oh, he's threatened that if I wouldn't—that—"
"You mean he—?" I began, and then stopped, for I couldn't believe my ears.
"Oh," she burst out, "of course you couldn't understand, and you probably despise me already, but if you knew how I scorn myself, Mr. Gordon, and what I have endured from that man, you would only pity me."
Light broke on me suddenly. "Do you mean, Miss Cullen," I cried hotly, "that he's been cad enough to force his attentions upon you by threats?"
"Yes. First he made me endure him because he was going to help us, and from the moment the robbery was done, he has been threatening to tell. Oh, how I have suffered!"