She shot at him a look blazing with indignation.
"You have no right," she said, "to ask me that question, and I shall not answer it."
Westgate paid no heed to her refusal. With fore-finger pointed at her to emphasize his demand, he went on:
"Two weeks ago you made an afternoon call at this house?"
"I had that pleasure."
"And when you went home darkness had fallen?"
"I believe so. Why do you ask?"
"We shall see. And on your way across the city you were accompanied by a man?"
"Sir, you have no right"
"And this man walked with you across the Malleson foot-bridge?"
Pallid, with startled eyes, with clenched hands, she cried out again:
"I say you have no right"
"And in the middle of the bridge, this man, with his arm around your waist"
"Stop!"
It was not Mary Bradley this time. It was the rector of Christ Church who spoke. He was on his feet. His eyes were flashing and his voice was resonant with anger. "Stop! You shall not bully and insult this woman. I'll not permit it."
"I desire," retorted Westgate, "to reveal the personal character and conduct of the star witness whom you have brought here to-night to bolster up your lost cause."
"I have brought no witness here, and you know it. And you shall not seize on an innocent circumstance to drag the name of an honest woman in the mire. I say I'll not permit it."
"And I say that the woman is her own detractor, and I shall show her to this company in her true light"
