"And is he here now?"
"Yes."
"What more is there to be said? Wretched woman, it is well for you that your parents are beyond the reach of this disgrace!"
Whether he meant it or not, he pointed, as he spoke, to the infant in her arms.
Lettice heard a step outside. She went to the door, and spoke in a low voice to Mrs. Jenny. Then she came back again, and said,
"What do you mean, Sydney, by 'this disgrace'?"
"Can you say one word to palliate what you have already admitted? Can you deny the facts which speak for themselves? Great Heaven! that such a shameful thing should fall upon us! The name of Campion has indeed been dragged through the mire of calumny, but never until now has so dark a stain been cast upon it!"
Theatrical in his words, Sydney was even more theatrical in his action. He stood on the hearth-rug, raised his hands in horror, and bowed his head in grief and self-pity.
"You pointed at the child just now," said Lettice, steadily; "what do you mean by that?"
"Do not ask me what I mean. Is not its very existence an indelible disgrace?"