llow？〃
〃The one we had all that fuss about years ago。 You know who I mean well enough。〃
〃You mean …〃 she hesitated … 〃you mean the te de la Roche？〃
〃te de la Roche！〃 snorted Van Aldin。 〃I told you at the time that the man was no better than a swindler。 You had entangled yourself with him then very deeply； but I got you out of his clutches。〃
〃Yes； you did；〃 said Ruth bitterly。 〃And I married Derek Kettering。〃
〃You wanted to；〃 said the millionaire sharply。
She shrugged her shoulders。
〃And now；〃 said Van Aldin slowly； 〃you have been seeing him again … after all I told you。 He has been in the house today。 I met him outside； and couldn't place him for the moment。〃
Ruth Kettering had recovered her posure。
〃I want to tell you one thing； Dad； you are wrong about Armand … the te de la Roche； I mean。 Oh； I know there were several regrettable incidents in his youth … he has told me about them； but … well； he has cared for me always。 It broke his heart when you parted us in Paris； and now …〃
She was interrupted by the snort of indignation her father gave。
〃So you fell for that stuff； did you？ You； a daughter of mine！ My God！〃
He threw up his hands。
〃That women can be such darned fools！〃 he murmured。
Chapter 6
MIRELLE
Derek Kettering emerged from Van Aldin's suite so precipitantly that he collided with a lady passing across the corridor。 He apologised； and she accepted his apologies with a smiling reassurance and passed on； leaving him with a pleasant impression of a soothing personality and rather fine grey eyes。
For all his nonchalance； his interview with his father…in…law had shaken him more than he cared to show。 He had a solitary lunch； and after it； frowning t