Part 41 (1/2)
”Yes; I am in rather a difficulty. You are the only person who can help me.”
Nicholas laughed shortly.
”It is an odd experience to be told that I can be of service to any one,”
he said. ”What is it?”
Trix drew a long breath.
”Mr. Danver, I want you to release me from my promise.”
Nicholas's eyes narrowed suddenly. A little gleam, like the spark from iron striking flint, flashed from them.
”What do you mean?” he asked coldly.
Trix's heart chilled at the tone.
”I must try and explain,” she said. ”In the first place, of course you know who your under-gardener really is?”
Nicholas stared at her.
”May I ask what that has got to do with you?”
”Well, I know too, you see,” said Trix, feeling her heart beginning to beat still more quickly.
”How do you know? What questions have you been asking?”
Trix flushed.
”I haven't asked any questions,” she said quickly. ”I saw him the day I came here before. I knew his face then, but I couldn't remember who he was. Afterwards I remembered I used to play with him when I was a child.”
”Well?” queried Nicholas briefly.
”Well,” echoed Trix desperately, ”I want to be able to tell someone he is Antony Gray, and not Michael Field. It is really very important that they should know, important for their happiness. But if I tell, they may want to know where I saw him, and ask questions which might lead to my either having to tell lies or betray your secret. If it becomes necessary, may I betray your secret? Will you release me from my promise?”
Nicholas's hand clenched tightly on the arm of his chair.
”Most certainly not,” he replied shortly.
The tone was utterly final. Trix felt the old childish fear of him surging over her. It was quite different from the nervousness she had just been experiencing, and, oddly enough, it gave her a kind of desperate courage. She had no intention of accepting his refusal without a struggle.
”I wouldn't tell unless it became absolutely necessary,” she urged.
”It never can be absolutely necessary,” he retorted. ”It would be no more dishonourable to tell a lie than break a promise.”
Trix went scarlet.
”I never had the smallest intention of doing either,” she replied. ”If I had, I need not have troubled to come up here and ask you to release me from my promise.”
Nicholas drummed his fingers on a small table near him.
”Well, you've had my answer,” he said.