So I
pray you will spare me. I don't know anything in God's wide world more
contemptible than a married man who poses as single!"
"Married!" shrieked his lordship. "Poses! Oh!"
The door opened and Pelletan's head appeared.
"I knocked," he explained, obsequiously, "once--twice--and when none
answered, Mees Rushford insiste'--"
"Miss Rushford!" cried Vernon.
"Yes, monsieur, Mees Rushford," and Pelletan stepped to one side,
disclosing Sue.
CHAPTER XX
The Dowager's Bombshell
She came no farther than the threshold and looked only at her father,
though her eyes were shining with the consciousness of some one else's
presence in the room--some one whom she had not in the least expected to
find there.
"Come, dad," she said. "Don't waste your time here. They're not worth
it," and she held out her hand to him.
But Vernon flung himself between them.
"He shall not go," he cried, "until he has heard me. It is all a
mistake--I see now where this detestable adventure in diplomacy has led
me. My dear sir, if I were what you think me, I should deserve every
word you have uttered to me--and more. But I am not married--I have
never been married--I had hoped--"
"Wait a minute," interrupted Rushford. "Don't go too fast. Come here,
Susie, and help me to understand.
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