"No! I deny it all."
"All?"
"Everything about Mary. It's a slander to mention that man's name in connection with her,—a calumny which I will not endure."
"How is it, then, if they mention mine in connection with you?"
"I am saying nothing about that."
"But I suppose you think of it. I am hardly of less importance to myself than Lady George is to herself. I did think I was not of less importance to you."
"Nobody ever was or ever can be of so much importance to me as my wife, and I will be on good terms with no one who speaks evil of her."
"They may say what they like of me?"
"Mr. Houghton must look to that."
"It is no business of yours, George?"