〃In what way did she plain of his behaviour？〃
〃He was being seen about with a very notorious lady … the one we have been speaking of … Mirelle。〃
〃The dancer。 Ah…ha！ And Madame Kettering objected？ Was she very devoted to her husband？〃
〃I would not say that；〃 said Van Aldin hesitating a little。
〃It was not her heart that suffered； it was her pride … is that what you would say？〃
〃Yes； I suppose you might put it like that。〃
〃I gather that the marriage had not been a happy one from the beginning？〃
〃Derek Kettering is rotten to the core；〃 said Van Aldin。 〃He is incapable of making any woman happy。〃
〃He is； as you say in England； a bad lot。 That is right； is it not？〃
Van Aldin nodded。
〃Très bien！ You advise Madame to seek a divorce； she agrees； you consult your solicitors。 When does M。 Kettering get news of what is in the wind？〃
〃I sent for him myself； and explained the course of action I proposed to take。〃
〃And what did he say？〃 murmured Poirot softly。
Van Aldin's face darkened at the remembrance。
〃He was infernally impudent。〃
〃Excuse the question； Monsieur； but did he refer himself to le te de la Roche？〃
〃Not by name；〃 growled the other unwillingly； 〃but he showed himself cognizant of the affair。〃
〃What； if I may ask； was M。 Kettering's financial position at the time？〃
〃How do you suppose I should know that？〃 asked Van Aldin； after a very brief hesitati