The circumstances were, in Miss Stanbury's judgment, becoming very remarkable. She did not for a moment believe Camilla. She did not believe that Mr. Gibson had given to either of the Frenches any justification for the statement just made. But Camilla had been so much more audacious than Miss Stanbury had expected, that that lady was for a moment struck dumb. "I'm sure, Miss Stanbury," said Mrs. French, "we don't want to give any offence to your niece,—very far from it."
"My niece doesn't care about it two straws," said Miss Stanbury. "It is I that care. And I care very much. The things that have been said have been altogether false."
"How false, Miss Stanbury?" asked Camilla.
"Altogether false,—as false as they can be."
"Mr. Gibson must know his own mind," said Camilla.
"My dear, there's a little disappointment," said Miss French, "and it don't signify."
"There's no disappointment at all," said Miss Stanbury, "and it does signify very much. Now that I've begun, I'll go to the bottom of it. If you say that Mr. Gibson told you to make these statements, I'll go to Mr. Gibson. I'll have it out somehow."
"You may have what you like out for us, Miss Stanbury," said Camilla.
"I don't believe Mr. Gibson said anything of the kind."
"That's civil," said Camilla.