And I saw his wife in the open doorway. She must have caught every word. I saw a flush as of anger overspread her face, and the flush give place to pallor.
"Mr. Ashlock, my steward, was with you last night, Mr. Herbert. Was it upon this subject that you talked?"
Herbert flung round upon his heel
"You take a tone I do not understand," he said, after a pause. "You may have a right to pry into the conversations of your servants, Mr. Clavering, but I am not one of them"—and of a sudden he caught sight of his wife in the doorway. "You here?" he asked with a start.
"It is only fair," she answered, "that I should be present when you discuss my frailties with your patrons. But it seems," and her voice hardened audibly, "you do me the kindness to discuss them with your patrons' servants too."
She stood before him superb in pride; every line of her body seemed to demand an answer.
"It is because I love you," he answered feebly; and at that her quietude gave way.
She flung up her arms above her head.
"Because you love me!" she cried "Was ever woman so insulted, and on so mean a plea?" And she sank down at the table in a passion of tears.
Herbert stepped over to her, and laid a hand upon her shoulder.