“The interesting little scene in my room, so beautifully stage-managed by my dear mother?”
She rose with a cry. “Alexis! You think I did—that?”
“Why not?” he shrugged. “The doctor said I needed a wife. That was a good way to provide me with one. When a child refuses to take medicine, it must be forced down his throat.” He laughed excitedly.
“But Alexis, how? Why?”
She fell limply into a chair and he saw by her stricken face that she was innocent. He was seized by devastating remorse. He ceased his pacing abruptly.
“But Claire, this is terrible! I have been judging you all this time when you were innocent. I might have known better!”
Claire looked at him in amazement.
“So you think I arranged with your mother to have her find me in your room?” A slow anger flamed in her pale cheeks. “I may be a fool, but I’m not vile. I—I think I will go now.” She drew herself out of the chair and started for the door. He followed her in a few swift strides.
“Claire, this is horrible. You must let me explain.”
She avoided his touch with a visible shiver.