“I—I hope that you will not say that I have told you,” exclaimed the girl quickly. “I know I ought not to—”
“Whatever is said between us in this room, Miss Rolfe, is said in strictest confidence,” the millionaire declared. “I have a good many secrets in my keeping, you know. Therefore rest assured that whatever you tell me goes no further.”
“You are against his marriage,” she suggested, looking him boldly in the face.
“I have not said so. I am only seeking information abort the lady—Maud Petrovitch, I think you said was her name?”
“Whatever I can tell you is only in her favour. She was a dear—a very dear friend of mine.”
“Ah! then you have quarrelled—eh?” he said, looking at her sharply.
“You said she was your friend—you used the past tense.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
“Because,”—and she grew confused—“well, because something has happened.”