"Yes, it is upon this one weakness of Lilian's that I must work," she said to herself. "It is the only way I can see of saving Gladys."
Resolved at any rate to experiment upon these lines, she lost no time in seeking out Lilian Rosenberg, who received her very coldly and was distinctly rude.
"What have my affairs to do with you? Who sent you here?" she demanded.
"Humanity!" Miss Templeton replied. "I have come entirely of my own accord to plead the cause of one who is seriously ill--possibly dying!"
"Seriously ill!--possibly dying!" Lilian Rosenberg said incredulously, nevertheless, turning pale. "Mr. Davenport is surely not as bad as all that!"
"When did you see him last?" Miss Templeton asked.
"A fortnight ago," Lilian Rosenberg replied. "I have been inundated with work the past two weeks."
"Then you've not heard that he's had a relapse," Miss Templeton said, "and is now in a most critical condition! He has something on his mind, and the doctor assures me that whilst he is still worrying over that something, there is no chance of his recovery."
"Do you know what it is--the something?" Lilian Rosenberg asked, the white on her cheeks intensifying.
"Yes!" Miss Templeton said slowly, and trying to appear calm. "He is very worried about Miss Martin's engagement to Mr. Hamar."
"Because he knows all about Mr. Hamar--and the compact."
"I have gleaned it from what he has said in his delirium."
"Yes, he has. He had a temperature of a hundred and four the day before yesterday."
For a few moments there was silence. Then Lilian Rosenberg said, "Can you believe what a man says in delirium?"
"In this instance I feel sure you can," Miss Templeton replied.
"Why should Miss Martin's engagement be of such interest to Mr. Davenport?"
Miss Templeton thought for a moment. "Because," she said at last, "he is in love with her."
"Do you think she cares for him, even as much as that?" and she snapped her fingers.
"I think she may care for him a very great deal some day--she has begun to care for him already!"
"But she would never dream of marrying any one as badly off as Mr. Davenport. He is practically starving."
"He was--but he's not now. He's come into money." And she explained about the fifty thousand pounds.