He was very ugly about it." "Threats of calling loans ?" asked Selwyn, smiling.
"Hints; not exactly threats.

I was in a bad way, too--" The boy winced and swallowed hard; then, with sudden white desperation stamped on his drawn face: "Oh, Philip--it--it is disgraceful enough--but how am I going to tell you the rest ?--how can I speak of this matter to you--" "What matter ?" "A--about--about Mrs.Ruthven--" "_What_ matter ?" repeated Selwyn.

His voice rang a little, but the colour had fled from his face.
"She was--Jack Ruthven charged her with--and me--charged me with--" "_You_!" "Yes." "Well--it was a lie, wasn't it ?" Selwyn's ashy lips scarcely moved, but his eyes were narrowing to a glimmer.

"It was a lie, wasn't it ?" he repeated.
"Yes--a lie.

I'd say it, anyway, you understand--but it really was a lie." Selwyn quietly leaned back in his chair; a little colour returned to his cheeks.
"All right--old fellow"-- his voice scarcely quivered--"all right; go on.
I knew, of course, that Ruthven lied, but it was part of the story to hear you say so.