"Yes, he is gay. He's a horrid flirt, you know."
"I didn't know; and what is more, I don't care."
"So many girls have said that about Captain De Baron; but they have cared afterwards."
"But I am not a girl, Miss Mildmay," said Mary, colouring, offended and resolved at once that she would have no intimacy and as little acquaintance as possible with Guss Mildmay.
"You are so much younger than so many of us that are girls," said Guss, thinking to get out of the little difficulty in that way. "And then it's all fish that comes to his net." She hardly knew what she was saying, but was anxious to raise some feeling that should prevent any increased intimacy between her own lover and Lady George. It was nothing to her whether or no she offended Lady George Germain. If she could do her work without sinning against good taste, well; but if not, then good taste must go to the wall. Good taste certainly had gone to the wall.
"Upon my word, I can hardly understand you!" Then Lady
George turned away to her father. "Well, papa, has Miss Mildmay persuaded you to come to the Institute with me?"
"I am afraid I should hardly be admitted, after what I have just said."
"Indeed you shall be admitted, Mr. Dean," said the old woman. "We are quite of the Church's way of thinking, that no sinner is too hardened for repentance."
"I am afraid the day of grace has not come yet," said the Dean.