But if he was playing a part, she then must certainly play, too, and not speak to him about the divorce until he spoke to her.

Thus they were unconsciously the one set against the other and both determined that the other should show first hand.

It looked as though the interests of Lord Fordyce might be somehow forgotten! They talked thus for half an hour, Michael asking questions about Heronac with polite interest and without ever saying a sentence with a double meaning, and she replying with frank information, and both burning with excitement and zest.

Then her great charm began to affect him so profoundly that unconsciously something of eagerness and emotion crept into his voice.

It was one of those voices full of extraordinarily attractive cadences at any time, and made for the seducing of a woman's ear.