“Just  another  little  plan  of  mine,”  responded
Honoria,  “as  an  antidote  to  the  poison  that  is
affecting  the  public’s  mind.  We  must  show  the
world  that  you  and  Grenville  are  living  in  perfect
harmony  in  spite  of  this  scandal.  We  must  allay
suspicion.”

At  that  moment  Grenville  walked  in  upon
them  unexpectedly.  The  aunt  left  the  room.
He  remained  silent.  “Well,  is  it  quits?  Or
shall  we  keep  up  this  sham  a  little  longer?”  Iris
asked  bluntly.
This  sudden  interrogation  took  Grenville
completely  by  surprise.  “Naturally,  I  can  ex¬
pect  no  sympathy  from  you,”  he  said  finally.  “I
don’t  ask  it.”

Iris  disregarded  the  thrust.  “I  question  if  we
can  humbug  the  public  much  longer,”  she  said
bitterly.  “Still,  they  say  it’s  fatal  to  turn  tail  to
a  wild  beast,  or  to  scandal.”

Grenville  softened  a  little.  “For  the  sake  of


SINKING  SANDS  261

happier  days/’  he  ventured,  “you  might  make
some  concessions.”

Iris  stood  cold  and  unmoved.  “I’m  utterly
selfish,”  she  confessed.  “I’m  thinking  only  of
myself.  But  what  I’ve  agreed  to  do,  fortunately
will  serve  your  interests  as  well  as  my  own.”

Grenville  gazed  at  her  questioningly.  “Agree¬
ment?”

“Your  aunt  has  come  to  our  rescue.  She  has
a  plan,  and  it  looks  very  promising.”

“Damn  her  interference!”  Grenville’s  eyes
blazed.
“You  never  did  have  the  capacity  to  take
punishment,”  Iris  commented  tersely.
“What’s  the  agreement?”

“I’ve  given  my  consent  to  have  Gwennie
brought  here,  and  to  act  as  hostess  at  a  dance  at
the  Bitz  on  Friday  night.”

Grenville  groaned.  “I  won’t  stand  for  it,”
he  exclaimed.  “I’m  in  no  condition  to  have  a
sick  child  on  my  hands.  Gwennie  is  better  off
where  he  is.  As  for  the  dance,  why,  Honoria
must  be  losing  her  mind.  She’s  gone  crazy.”  He
flung  up  his  hands.
