Joan waited in indignant silence.
"I told you that I was married," said Mr. Vyner, in thrilling tones. "I am not."
Miss Hartley, who had seated herself, rose suddenly with a fair show of temper. "You said you were not going to talk nonsense!" she exclaimed.
"I am not," said the other, in surprise. "I am owning to a fault, making a clean breast of my sins, not without a faint hope that I am setting an example that will be beautifully and bountifully followed."
"I have really got too much to do to stay here listening to nonsense," said Miss Hartley, vigorously.
"I am a proud man," resumed Mr. Vyner, "and what it has cost me to make this confession tongue cannot tell; but it is made, and I now, in perfect confidence—almost perfect confidence—await yours."
"I don't understand you," said Joan, pausing, with her hand on the door.
"Having repudiated my dear wife," said Mr. Vyner, sternly, "I now ask, nay, demand, that you repudiate Captain Trimblett—and all his works," he added, as ear-splitting screams sounded from outside.
"I wish——" began Joan, in a low voice.
"Yes?" said Robert, tenderly.