"One word before you return to Lady Violet," I said. "Is it true that she has broken off her engagement?"
"Yes."
"Lady Erstfield told me that she gave you her confidence in this matter."
"Yes, she spoke to me this morning."
"Do you mind telling me what she said?"
"She was very weak and had a difficulty in using her voice, but she whispered to me. Her words were something like these:—
"'Tell my father and mother that I do not love Captain Ponsonby, and will never marry him. From the first he never attracted me, and now there is no inducement—not even the diamonds!'"
"Did she really say 'not even the diamonds'?"
"I BEG OF YOU NOT TO GO."