'Madam,' said Montague, growing yet colder, 'it is not for me either to construe or to misconstrue the packet which I am to give you, nor am I at all concerned to defend a gentleman whom I am proud to name my friend.'
The indifference of the speech no doubt stung her ladyship.
'Friend!' she said with a sneer. 'This friendship is surely something of the suddenest. I did not even so late as last night notice any great cordiality between you.'
'Very likely not,' said Montague. 'Last night there was a trivial cause for disagreement upon which to-day we are of one mind.'
Lady Oxford flushed and took another tone.
'You are cruel,' she said. She was not so much insulted as hurt. 'You are ungenerous. You are cruel.'
But Colonel Montague was not in a melting mood, and so, 'Give me the packet,' she said sullenly.
Montague pressed his hand over his pocket and smiled.
Lady Oxford rose from her chair with a startled face.
'You mean to keep it? To use it?'