He was brushed aside, and Winnie swept into the office. Her colour was high, and she certainly looked a beauty at that moment.
The worry of the last few months instead of marring her looks, had softened the lines of her face, and her fine eyes were appealing. She came straight to Reckavile, ignoring the lawyer altogether, but something in the sternness of his face made her pause.
“Oh Hugh!” she said, not venturing to go to him, “why have you treated me like this? You have taken no notice of my letters, and refused to see me. Are you going to desert me after you have ruined me?” Her voice broke, and there were signs of coming tears.
“You need have no apprehension on that score,” he answered coldly. “I have already discussed the matter with Mr. Curtis here. When the time comes, you shall become Lady Reckavile, and have my honoured name. You have a witness here,” and he smiled like Satan at Curtis.
“But Hugh, you are so hard, so cold. It is your love I want as well as to be your wife,” she added hastily.
He was unmoved.
“I have said, Winnie, that you shall become my wife. Anything else I do not care to discuss, especially before another.” Curtis had remained in the hope that he could dissuade Reckavile from his purpose, but he now hastily made to go, when the other stopped him.
“No, Curtis, don’t go. There is nothing to add. I am leaving England, and you know where to find me. This lady can communicate with you, and you will continue her allowance. When my presence is necessary I will come. You can arrange the details at a registry office, as quietly as possible. No fuss, please, and above all keep it out of the papers.”
Winnie turned red with anger and shame. How brutal he was and callous, it was worse than anything that had gone before. Before she could collect her thoughts Reckavile had turned on his heel, and strode from the room.
She would have tried tears, or a passionate appeal, but what was the good of that with a dry old lawyer, whose face was impassive.