He listened courteously, impressed in her favor by her quiet, almost sad manner and her pretty voice, and she noted the conventional but costly furnishing of the room, his expensive clothes, his heavy gold watch chain, seals and ring, the lustrous pearl in his cravat. Then she struck delicately.
“I am staying with Mrs. Martin Rue—as a companion.”
He winced, flushed and stammered, made a poor recovery and congratulated her on her friendship with the banker’s charming wife, watching her the while with his kind gray eyes suddenly anxious.
“She has confided in me,” said Mrs. Sacret. “I thought I should make your acquaintance and tell you that—”
“Indeed—and why?” asked Sir John, now with a show of spirit. “It should make you easy to know that Mrs. Rue—Susan—has a true confidante constantly
