to respond to his tone。 She sat up； her big black eyes widening。
'What did you say； Dereek？ What has happened？'
〃My esteemed father…in…law；〃 said Kettering； 〃is preparing to go off the deep…end。〃
〃Eh？〃
〃In other words； he wants Ruth to divorce me。〃
〃How stupid！〃 said Mirelle。 〃Why should she want to divorce you？〃
Derek Kettering grinned。
〃Mainly because of you； cherie！〃 he said。
Mirelle shrugged her shoulders。
〃That is foolish；〃 she observed in a matter…of…fact voice。
〃Very foolish；〃 agreed Derek。
〃What are you going to do about it？〃 demanded Mirelle。
〃My dear girl； what can I do？ On the one side； the man with unlimited money； on the other side； the man with unlimited debts。 There is no question as to who will e out on top。〃
〃They are extraordinary； these Americans；〃 mented Mirelle。 〃It is not as though your wife were fond of you。〃
〃Well；〃 said Derek； 〃what are we going to do about it？〃
She looked at him inquiringly。 He came over and took both her hands in his。
〃Are you going to stick to me？〃
〃What do you mean？ After …〃
〃Yes；〃 said Kettering。 〃After； when the creditors e down like wolves on the fold。 I am damned fond of you； Mirelle； are you going to let me down？〃
She pulled her hands away from him。
〃You know I adore you； Dereek。〃
He caught the note of evasion in her voice。
〃So that's that； is it？ The rats will leave the sinking ship。〃
〃Ah； Dereek！〃
〃Out with it；〃 he said violently。 〃You will fling me over； is that it？〃
She shrugged her shoulders。
〃I am fond of you； mon ami … indeed I am fond of you。 You are very charming … un beau gar？on； but ce n'est pas pratique。〃
〃You are a rich m