‘It was not by way of amusing myself that I appealed to you, but for the ease of my conscience in the days yet to come.’
He stared at her suspiciously for a moment or two, then he said with a shrug: ‘I do not comprehend you.’
She rose and pushed back her chair. ‘There is nothing more to be said. I need not detain you further.’
He too rose, but for once he was evidently nonplussed. ‘Nothing more to be said?’ he remarked after a pause. ‘It seems to me that there is much more to be said. I have not yet had your answer to the proposition I laid before you on Wednesday last.’
‘I thought you understood. But if you want my answer in a few plain words, you shall have it.’
In the twilight he could see her clear shining eyes gazing steadily and fearlessly into his. Craven fears began to flutter round his heart.
‘Hector Laroche, you have lost much time and put yourself to much trouble and expense in hunting down a woman whose life, years ago, you made a burden almost too bitter for her to bear—and all to no purpose. You have found me; what then? You have made a proposition to me so utterly vile as altogether to defeat your own ends. From this hour I know you not. I will never see or speak to you again. It will be at your peril to attempt to molest me. I have friends who will see that I suffer no harm at your hands. There is the door. Begone!’
‘Ho, ho!’ he cried with an hyena-like snarl. ‘You bid me begone, do you? Eh bien! I must not disobey a lady’s commands. I will go—but it shall be in search of Sir William.’
‘Your search need not take you far; Sir William Ridsdale is here, under this roof.’
Laroche could not repress a start of surprise. He was still staring at Mora like a man at an utter loss what to say next, when a tap was heard at the door, which was followed a moment later by the entrance of Nanette: ‘Sir William Ridsdale has sent word to say that he should like to see Monsieur De Miravel as soon as that gentleman is at liberty to wait upon him.’