It was the great lady who looked at Engleton.
"Are we to take this, Lord Ronald," she asked, "as a serious accusation ?" "You can take it for what it is, madam," Engleton answered--"the truth." Cecil de la Borne rose to his feet and leaned across the table.

His cheeks were as pale as death.

His voice was shaking.
"I am your host, Engleton," he said, "and I demand an explanation of what you have said.

Your accusation is absurd.

You must be drunk or out of your senses." "I am neither drunk nor out of my senses," Engleton answered, "nor am I such an utter fool as to be so easily deceived.