‘I’m sorry,’ said Mr. Van Torp, in a tone of contrition.  ’Well, you see, I forgot you weren’t a man.  I won’t do it again.  So your father thinks I’d better come out flat-footed with a statement to the press.  Now, I’ll tell you.  I’d do so, if I didn’t feel sure that all this circus about me isn’t the real thing yet.  It’s been got up with an object, and until I can make out what’s coming I think I’d best keep still.  Whoever’s at the root of this is counting on my losing my temper and hitting out, and saying things, and then the real attack will come from an unexpected quarter.  Do you see that?  Under the circumstances, almost any man in my position would get interviewed and talk back, wouldn’t he?’

‘I fancy so,’ answered Lady Maud.

’Exactly.  If I did that, I might be raising against another man’s straight flush, don’t you see?  A good way in a fight is never to do what everybody else would do.  But I’ve got a scheme for getting behind the other man, whoever he is, and I’ve almost concluded to try it.’

‘Will you tell me what it is?’

‘Don’t I always tell you most things?’

Lady Maud smiled at the reservation implied in ‘most.’

’After all you have done for me, I should have no right to complain if you never told me anything,’ she answered.  ’Do as you think best.  You know that I trust you.’

‘That’s right, and I appreciate it,’ answered the millionaire.  ’In the first place, you’re not going to be divorced.  I suppose that’s settled.’

Lady Maud opened her clear eyes in surprise.

‘You didn’t know that, did you?’ asked Mr. Van Torp, enjoying her astonishment.

‘Certainly not, and I can hardly believe it,’ she answered.

‘Look here, Maud,’ said her companion, bending his heavy brows in a way very unusual with him, ’do you seriously think I’d let you be divorced on my account?  That I’d allow any human being to play tricks with your good name by coupling it with mine in any sort of way?  If I were the kind of man about whom you had a right to think that, I wouldn’t deserve your friendship.’

It was not often that Rufus Van Torp allowed his face to show feeling, but the look she saw in his rough-hewn features for a moment almost frightened her.  There was something Titanic in it.

‘No, Rufus—­no!’ she cried, earnestly.  ’You know how I have believed in you and trusted you!  It’s only that I don’t see how—­’

‘That’s a detail,’ answered the American.  ’The “how” don’t matter when a man’s in earnest.’  The look was gone again, for her words had appeased him instantly.  ‘Well,’ he went on, in his ordinary tone, ’you can take it for granted that the divorce will come to nothing.  There’ll be a clear statement in all the best papers next week, saying that your husband’s suit for a divorce has been dismissed with costs because there is not the slightest evidence of any kind against you.  It will be stated that you came to my partner’s chambers in Hare Court on a matter of pure business, to receive certain money, which was due to you from me in the way of business, for which you gave me the usual business acknowledgment.  So that’s that!  I had a wire yesterday to say it’s as good as settled.  The water’s boiling.’