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 Morton raised his hand deprecatingly. "That has to he proved. As for these stories, I am only too anxious to clear Victoria—you know how fond I am, and always have been, of her. I am convinced that this man Valdeck has put these lies in circulation to shield himself. Perhaps Miss Ford may have repeated them, for which I should be heartily sorry; but, if so, it was in the belief that she was speaking the truth."

Mr. Courncey fairly danced in his desire to break this torrent of speech and get in his own crowding words. "Fiddlesticks! Bosh!" he roared, finally. "Miserable little minx, glad enough she was to blacken a girl like Victoria Claudel! I have learned—and it hasn't been from Mrs. Durham, either—" He turned as he spoke, indicating with a quick gesture the chair near the door. It was empty.

The two men looked startled for a moment, then relieved. With rare tact the lady had removed her restraining presence.

Courncey bubbled with appreciation. "And now, thank God! I can swear all I please. As I said, I have heard from many sources that the 249