"He usually is," Lesbia assured her, with great coolness. "It was only when my father told me about this burglary, that I learned you loved George." "I do love him!" cried Maud defiantly, "but I don't see that it matters to you--now." "It matters a great deal," said Lesbia coldly. "I am only an unsophisticated girl, Miss Ellis, but I don't intend to give up the man I love, without a struggle." "I understand that you have given him up." "For the time being, until I can force you to prove his innocence." "Force me!" Miss Ellis raised her eyebrows for the third time, but her face grew angry, for she did not like this very straight speaking. "What have I to do with the matter? I believe that George is innocent myself, and told my uncle so. Indeed, had I not stood up for George, he would now be in gaol." Lesbia smiled contemptuously. "It's all part of the game," she retorted. "I am a woman, not a man, Miss Hale, and I can see very plainly how George walked into the trap you set for him." "I set no trap. And if George says----" "George says nothing. I have not seen him for a long time. But my father told me how George was in the gallery and you also." "Did he tell you that George came to meet me?" asked Maud maliciously. "No, nor do I believe you." "Then he did." "It is a lie," said Lesbia, impolitely but very firmly. "I don't believe it." "Ask George himself," cried Maud. "He will tell you that we had a meeting at three in the morning and----" Lesbia, who was looking at her, gave an ironical laugh. "Oh, I believe you now," she said slowly, "I can see the truth in your eyes. Yes, George did meet you by appointment. Why, I don't know----" "Because he loved me." "He never loved you!" cried Lesbia furiously, and looked so angry that Maud hastily stepped back a pace, thinking she would be struck. "He loves me and me only. But you inveigled him into the gallery, into a trap, and made use of this burglary to force him to be your husband." "I told my uncle that George was innocent." "Yes, because it suited your book to do so. But you told my father, and he passed the message on to me, that if I did not dismiss George, you would prove his guilt." Maud tore her handkerchief to ribbons. "And I can too," she said, between her teeth. "You are quite right. To the world I should say nothing; but to you I can say what I please. We love the same man. I want him, and I am going to get him. I _did_ trap George into a meeting, but the burglary was unforeseen. I can make use of it, which, let me remind you, Miss Hale, I have not done yet. Remember I was chloroformed, and the key was taken from my neck to open the safe. What would be easier than for me to declare that George Walker asked me to meet him in the gallery and rendered me insensible and stole the jewels, after taking the key, and buried them in the garden, coming back to tell falsehoods? If I speak----" "You won't speak."