"Others, besides yourself, were after your wife's money." A sense of impotence seized Ronald, in nightmare grip.

Indignant and furious, he yet felt absolutely unable to contradict or to explain.
Suddenly he seemed to hear Helen's voice saying earnestly: "My cousin Aubrey is not a good man, Ronnie; he is not a man you should trust." This vivid remembrance of Helen, brought him to his senses.
"I prefer not to discuss my wife," he said, with quiet dignity; "nor my relations with her.

Let us talk of something else." "By all means, my dear fellow," replied Aubrey.

"You must pardon the indiscretion of cousinly interest.

Tell me of your new book.