"But I mean that this farce shall go no farther. This man Storms is a knave, and should be dealt with as such."
"I am inclined to think Ruth Jessup does not believe this, for scarcely a night passes that she is not seen with him in the park."
"Seen with him! What! My—With him!"
"So it is understood in the servants' hall."
"The servants' hall!"
Hurst fairly ground his teeth with rage. Had Ruth's good name fallen so low that it was a matter of criticism in the servants' hall?
"You know Mrs. Mason is her godmother?"
"Well!"
"And, of course, takes a deep interest in the matter. She talks all her troubles over with Mrs. Hipple, and even came to me about the wedding gifts. Of course, I took an interest. Ruth has so long been the pet of the house, and I love her; that is, there was a time when I loved her dearly."
"Loved her dearly? And now you speak with tears in your voice, as if that pleasant time had passed. Why is that, Lady Rose?"