"
"On what grounds?" he demanded doggedly. "Does he threaten you?"
She made no movement or reply, reclining there, one hand on her
wine-glass, the smile still curving her lips. And he repeated his
question in a low, distinct voice--too low for Neergard to hear; and he
was still listening.
"Grounds? Oh, he thinks I've misbehaved with--never mind who. It is not
true--but he cares nothing about that, either. You see"--and she bent
nearer, confidentially, with a mysterious little nod of her pretty
head--"you see, Jack Ruthven is a little insane. . . . You are
surprised? Pooh! I've suspected it for months."
He stared at her; then: "Where are you stopping?"
"Aboard the _Niobrara_."
"Is Mrs. Fane a guest there, too?"
He spoke loud enough for Rosamund to hear; and she answered for herself
with a smile at him, brimful of malice:
"Delighted to have you come aboard, Captain Selwyn. Is that what you are
asking permission to do?"
"Thanks," he returned dryly; and to Alixe: "If you are ready, Gerald and
I will take you over to the _Niobrara_ in the motor-boat--"
"Oh, no, you won't!" broke in Neergard with a sneer--"you'll mind your
own business, my intrusive friend, and I'll take care of my guests
without your assistance.
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