Austin checked further speech. Dick looked haggardly round the room.
"There. Now you all know. I'm not fit to be under the same roof with you. Good-bye."
He slouched in his heavy way to the door, but Viviette sprang from her chair and planted herself in his path.
"No. You shan't go. Do you think I have nothing to say?"
"Say what you like," said Dick sadly. "Nothing is too black for me. Curse me, if you will."
She laughed, and shook her head. "Do you think a woman curses the man who would commit murder for the love of her?" she cried, with a strange exultation in her voice. "If I loved you before--don't you think I love you now a million times more?"
Dick fell back, thrilled with amazement.
"You love me still?" he gasped. "You don't shrink--"
"Excuse me," interrupted Banstead, crossing the room. "Does this mean that you chuck me, Miss Hastings?"
"You must release me from my promise, Lord Banstead," she said gently. "I scarcely knew what I was doing. I'm very sorry. I've not behaved well to you."