To her he had never spoken an
angry word. The lowering of his features in this moment caused her a
painful flutter at the heart; she became mute, and for a minute or
two neither spoke.
"By the bye," said Dr. Derwent suddenly, "it is a most happy thing
that your aunt's money was so strictly tied up. No one can be
advantaged by her death--except that American hospital. Her
scoundrelly acquaintances are aware of that fact no doubt."
"It's a little hard, isn't it, that Olga would have nothing?"
"In one way, yes. But I'm not sure she isn't safer so." Again there
fell silence.
Again Irene's eyes wandered, and her hands moved nervously.
"There is one thing we must speak of," she said at length "If the
case goes on, Arnold will of course hear of it."
Dr. Derwent looked keenly at her before replying.
"He knows already."
"He knows? How?"
"By common talk in some house he frequents. Agreeable! I saw him
this afternoon; he took me aside and spoke of this. It is his belief
that Hannaford himself has set the news going."
Irene seemed about to rise. She sat straight, every nerve tense, her
face glowing with indignation.
"What an infamy!"
"Just so. It's the kind of thing we're getting mixed up with."
"How did Arnold speak to you? In what tone?"
"As any decent man would--I can't describe it otherwise. He said
that of course it didn't concern him, except in so far as it was
likely to annoy our family.
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