He leaned against the low balustrade. She rose.
"You'll drive me into hysterics," she cried and fled to the drawing-room.
He followed, impatiently. "I'm not such an ass as to fall off a footling balcony. What do you take me for?"
"I take you for Adrian's friend," she said, very erect, brave elf facing horrible ogre—and, either by chance or design, her hand touched and held the tip of a great silver-framed photograph of her late husband.
"I think I've proved it," said Jaffery.
"Are you proving it now? What value can you attach to Adrian's memory when you say such things to me?"
"I'm saying to you what every honest man has the right to say to the free woman he loves."
"But I'm not a free woman. I'm bound to Adrian."
"You can't be bound to him forever and ever."
"I am. That's why it's shameful and dishonourable of you,"—his blue eyes flashed dangerously and he clenched his hands, but heedless she went on—"yes, mean and base and despicable of you to wish to betray him. Adrian—"