"But to speak concretely--I have unhappily offended you, Miss Grayson. Something I have done or left undone--or my unfortunate personality does not engage your interest? Is it not true?"
There was no mistaking his almost passionate sincerity now, held in check by the man's invincible composure.
But the girl still held aloof, her blue eyes cool and watchful. For the moment her face, in its young hardness, bore a curious resemblance to her father's.
The count bowed silently. His lips were pale.
"Then I will tell you!" She spoke in a low voice surcharged with emotion. "I will give you candour for candour, and make an end of all this paltry masquerade."
"That," he murmured, "is what I most desire."
Doris continued, heedless of the interruption. "It is true that I dislike you. I am glad to be able to say it to you, openly. And yet, perhaps, I should use another word. I dislike you and fear you in equal parts. I dislike your secrecy--something dark and hidden within you--and I fear your influence over my father." Her voice faltered over the last word, and she paused.
Lady Dinsmore's cheerful tones broke across the silence.
"Doris," she charged, "you are preaching to the count. He is looking quite sulky and bored."
"My unfortunate face, it belies me. I was, in truth, deeply interested. Miss Grayson was speaking of her father."
He turned back to the girl. "You will continue the--how you say--arraignment?" he asked gravely. "I would know the worst. I influence your father for evil--but how?"
"I don't know--exactly," she admitted. "But you are somehow connected with the--the scheme--a terrible illegal scheme," her voice was only just audible. "That I know to a certainty. Father spoke to me one day of you----"
"It was after he had decoded a telegram. He looked up and spoke of your brilliance and discretion. He said you had the mind of a Napoleon."
"It is true that I was able to do your father a service," he replied slowly. "I did him another to-night." He smiled with a certain mysticism. "In truth, it was what delayed me. But as for your--ah--conspiracy, Miss Grayson, believe me, I know little. That a--a committee exists, with a president----"
"Baggin!" breathed the girl. Her eyes were wide with terror.