He did not relapse again into his former shamefaced terror, but as a malignant glitter came into his eyes, he regained his coolness.
"It may not be so difficult for others to understand, Miss Nevil," he said, with polished insolence, "and as Bob Rushbrook's generosity to pretty women is already a matter of suspicion, perhaps you are wise to destroy that record of it." "Coward!" said Grace, "stand aside and let me pass!" She swept by him to the door.

But it opened upon Rushbrook's re-entrance.

He stood for an instant glancing at the pair, and then on the fragments of the paper that strewed the floor.

Then, still holding the door in his hand, he said quietly:-- "One moment before you go, Miss Nevil.

If this is the result of any misunderstanding as to the presence of another woman here, in company with Mr.Somers, it is only fair to him to say that that woman is here as a friend of MINE, not of his, and I alone am responsible." Grace halted, and turned the cold steel of her proud eyes on the two men.