"But a man must support his wife, even if her past has not been quite so respectable as it might have been," she cried defiantly.
Hugh directed upon her a searching look. "Mrs. Spencer, it is in my mind that you may not be Guy's wife after all. If I probed a little deeper, I might get at your real relations with this George Dutton, or rather Burton."
"Oh, this time you are really pursuing a will-o'-the-wisp, I assure you. George has never been anything to me but brother or cousin, as the occasion demanded."
She paused a second, and there was a terrified look in her eyes as she added, "But even if your suspicions were correct, which they are not, you would not go back from your own promise. If Guy proved obdurate, you would not drive me to the gutter. You promised me that."
"I shall keep my promise, Mrs. Spencer, and I will give it you in writing, if you wish."
"It would be as well. And you will want something from me in writing also, I expect," she concluded shrewdly.
"Certainly I shall," said Hugh steadily. "I shall draw up a full confession for you to sign, to prevent you from ever troubling your husband again—if, as I suggested just now, he is your husband."
Mrs. Spencer rose. It seemed that there was a sense of relief in the fact that the interview was ending so amicably.
"I would have preferred to remain as I am, but, on the whole, the life doesn't suit me, luxurious as it is. I am very fond of Guy really, he has been so good to me, but I have alienated him from his friends. And I have to sit here hour after hour by myself, with only my thoughts for company."
"Let us say one week from now I will have that confession ready to sign."