"Perhaps not," assented Rushford, drily. "The standards of gentlemanly conduct seem to be different in the Old World and in the New. I'm glad, however, that I've caught you two together. I suppose that little farce of pretended illness was played only for the benefit of outsiders!" "I assure you, Mr. Rushford," began Vernon quickly, but the American stopped him with a gesture. "I don't care to hear," he said. "I care nothing for your two-by-four conspiracies and intrigues. But, I repeat, I'm glad I caught both of you together. It enables me to tell, in the same breath, what I think of both of you, and I am very anxious to tell you, fully and completely, for I suppose you have been surrounded all your lives by toadies who were afraid to tell you the truth about yourselves, or who were so like you that they couldn't see the truth--products of the same code of morals--a code truly European! In a word, then, I think you are both blackguards--blackguards of the most nasty and contemptible kind--the kind that preys upon women! I may add that you have deeply shaken my faith in human nature, for, to look at you, one would mistake you for gentlemen!" The words were uttered quietly, evenly, deliberately; each one given its full value. There was a certain dignity in Rushford's aspect which made interruption impossible; but neither man offered to interrupt. The Prince was biting his lips desperately; Vernon turned red and white and red again in evident amazement. "And having said this," concluded the American, "as emphatically as possible, I will very gladly leave you to yourselves." "Oh, no, you won't!" cried Vernon, fiercely, in a voice hoarse with emotion. "I, at least, demand an explanation." "An explanation?" and Rushford laughed, a little mocking laugh. "Can't your conscience give you an explanation? Or is it too deadened to do that?" "No!" said Vernon, boldly. "My conscience gives me no explanation, which would in any degree warrant the words you have used to me, and which I am sure you will some day regret. It is true that my conduct here has not been wholly straightforward; but it is Prince Frederick I have wronged and not you in any degree. Your daughter--to whom, I presume, you referred--knew all--" "All?" repeated Rushford, with irony. "Perhaps not all, but I had intended waiting upon you this afternoon and explaining to you--" "Oh! So you thought I was entitled to an explanation! Yes, my lord, it seems to me that your actions will require a great deal of explaining--more, certainly, than I have the patience to listen to. 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.