"The gentleman," said Camilla.
"What gentleman?" demanded Arabella.
"I don't mean Mr. Trevelyan," said Camilla.
"I don't believe there really is,—eh,—is there?" said Mr. Gibson, very timidly.
"Oh, dear, yes," said Arabella.
"I'm afraid there's something of the kind," said Camilla. "I've heard that there is, and I've heard his name." Then she whispered very closely into the ear of Mr. Gibson the words, "Colonel Osborne," as though her lips were by far too pure to mention aloud any sound so full of iniquity.
"Indeed!" said Mr. Gibson.
"But he's quite an old man," said Dorothy, "and knew her father intimately before she was born. And, as far as I can understand, her husband does not suspect her in the least. And it's only because there's a misunderstanding between them, and not at all because of the gentleman."
"Oh!" exclaimed Camilla.
"Ah!" exclaimed Arabella.