“Of Louisa?” he repeated.
Nellie nodded. “I do not think that he is a good or safe friend for Louisa,” she said. “You may tell me it is none of my business, but I am largely responsible for his being here, and James and I both thought I ought to speak to you.”
“Am I to understand that Emmons thinks your cousin likely to attract Louisa?”
“James? Oh, I don’t know whether James’s opinion on that point would be very valuable. But I do.”
“You surprise me,” said Overton.
“I know. It must surprise you to realize that women should ever be attracted by men they can not respect, and yet it does sometimes happen, Mr. Overton. For myself I can not imagine it, but I know there are girls to whom a man’s mere charm——”
“Oh, but you misunderstand me entirely,” said Overton. “Of course I have seen quantities of just such cases as you have in mind—handsome scoundrels who fascinated every woman they came in contact with. But surely you do not think your cousin such a person.”
“Very much such a person.”
Overton wagged his head. “Well, well, you surprise me,” he returned. “A jovial, amusing fellow—a favorite with men, perhaps. But what would you say a girl could see in him?”
His malice was rewarded as malice ought not to be.