She rose. He too, courteously.
“Is it to do with anything that happened on the night of your dinner-party?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Colonel Onslow and Captain Wedderburn?”
He met her eyes.
“Yes,” said he.
“They’ve come to you with all sorts of lies about Alexis.”
“I would give ten years of my life not to wound you, Mrs. Triona,” he said, in great distress. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night. My honour as a publisher is involved. But let that pass. I’m thinking more of you. You only can help me—and your husband. These two gentlemen have come to me with a challenge. Your husband’s good faith. They ask ‘Is Through Blood and Snow a bona-fide personal record?’ ”
“It is,” said Olivia, with her back to the wall.
“He’ll have to prove it.”