De Lana you heard sounds of altercation in the
street below. May I suggest that you recognized one of the
voices?"
Lady Ireton, still staring straight before her at Harley,
inclined her head in assent.
"I heard my father's voice," she said hoarsely.
"Quite so," he continued. "I am aware that Major Ragstaff is
your father." He turned to me: "Do you recognize the touch of
genius at last?" Then, again addressing Lady Ireton: "You
naturally suggested to your companion that he should look out of
the window in order to learn what was taking place. The next
thing you knew was that he had fallen into the street below?"
Lady Ireton shuddered and raised her hands to her face.
"It is retribution," she whispered. "I have brought this ruin
upon myself. But he does not deserve------"
Her voice faded into silence, and:
"You refer to your husband, Lord Ireton?" said Harley.
Lady Ireton nodded, and again recovering power of speech:
"It was to have been our last meeting," she said, looking up at
Harley.
She shuddered, and her eyes blazed into sudden fierceness. Then,
clenching her hands, she looked aside.
"Oh, God, the shame of this hour!" she whispered.
And I would have given much to have been spared the spectacle of
this proud, erring woman's humiliation.
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