“I suppose that is understandable,” the Marquis said.
She thought that he spoke reluctantly.
“I thought that – they would leave,” she went on hastily, “but instead Sir Harold – came into the kitchen and said that – Lady Barton would – give me two hundred pounds if I would – take part in a charade to – amuse her guests.”
She looked at the Marquis pleadingly.
“I swear to – you,” she said, “on everything I – hold sacred, that I did not – know what they were – going to do – until the very last moment.”
She thought that the Marquis was looking grim and with a little sob she added,
“I-I can see now – why what they – planned could not take place the – first night at The Towers, because they were – waiting for the Special Licence!”
She spoke the last words a little incoherently and in such
