Meredith now. He has a
right to know. Tell him upon what condition Mr. Durnovo proposed to
admit you into the Simiacine."
Maurice still hesitated, bewildered, at a loss--as men are when a
seemingly secure secret is suddenly discovered to the world. He
would still have tried to fend it off; but Jack Meredith, with his
keener perception, saw that Jocelyn was determined--that further
delay would only make the matter worse.
"If your sister wants it," he said, "you had better tell me. I am
not the sort of man to act rashly--on the impulse of the moment."
Still Maurice tried to find some means of evasion.
"Then," cried Jocelyn, with flaming cheeks, "_I_ will tell you. You
were to be admitted into the Simiacine scheme by Mr. Durnovo if you
could persuade or force me to marry him."
None of them had foreseen this. It had come about so strangely, and
yet so easily, in the midst of their first greeting.
"Yes," admitted Maurice, "that was it."
"And what answer did you give?" asked Jocelyn.
"Oh, I told him to go and hang himself--or words to that effect,"
was the reply, delivered with a deprecating laugh.
"Was that your final answer?" pursued Jocelyn, inexorable. Her
persistence surprised Jack. Perhaps it surprised herself.
"Yes, I think so."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, he cut up rough and threatened to make things disagreeable;
so I think I said that it was no good his asking me to do anything
in the matter, as I didn't know your feelings.
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