And still she stood there, her eyes wide, her colour gone, repeating: "Excuse? What excuse? What do you mean by 'excuse,' Howard?"
"I have told you. You know my wishes. If he has a telephone you can communicate with him--"
"And say that I--that you forbid me--"
"If you choose. Yes; say that I object to him. Is there anything extraordinary in a man objecting to his future wife dining in the country at a common inn with a notorious outcast from every decent club and circle in New York?"
"What!" she whispered, white as death. "What did you say?"
"Shall I repeat what everybody except you seems to be aware of? Do you care to have me explain to you exactly why decent people have ostracised this man with whom you are proposing to figure in a public resort?"
He turned to Leila, who stood at the window, her back turned toward them: "Mrs. Mortimer, when Mr. Plank arrives, you will be kind enough to explain why Sylvia is unable to accompany you."
If Leila heard she neither turned nor made sign of comprehension.
"We will dine at the Santa Regina," he said to Sylvia. "Agatha is there and I'll find somebody at the club to--"
"Why bother to find anybody?" said Leila, wheeling on him, exasperated. "Why not dine there with Agatha alone? It will not be the first time I fancy!"
"What do you mean?" he said fiercely, under his breath. The colour had left his face, too, and in his eyes Leila saw for the first time an expression that she had never before surprised in any eyes except her husband's. It was the expression of fright; she recognised it. But Sylvia stared, unenlightened, at an altered visage she scarcely knew for Quarrier's.
"What do I mean?" repeated Leila; "I mean what I say; and if you don't understand it you can find the key to it, I fancy. Nor shall I answer to you for my guests. I invite whom I choose. Mr. Siward is one, Mr. Plank is another. Sylvia, if you care to come I shall be delighted."
"I do care to come," said Sylvia. Her heart was beating violently, her eyes were on Quarrier.
"If you go," said Quarrier, showing the glimmering edge of teeth under his beard, "you will answer to me for it."
"I will answer you now, Howard; I am going with Mrs. Mortimer. What have you to say?"
"I'll say it to-morrow," he replied, contemplating her in a dull, impassive manner as though absorbed in other things.
"Say what there is to be said now!" she insisted, the hot colour staining her cheeks again. "Do you desire me to free you? Is that all? I will if you wish."