"And has he told you whether he means to keep, or to break that engagement?"
"Ah, Mrs. Burton, is that question fair? Is it fair either to him, or to me? If he has taken me into his confidence and has not taken you, should I be doing well to betray him? Or if there can be anything in such a secret specially interesting to myself, why should I be made to tell it to you?"
"I think the truth is always the best, Lady Ongar."
"Truth is always better than a lie;—so at least people say, though they sometimes act differently; but silence may be better than either."
"This is a matter, Lady Ongar, in which I cannot be silent. I hope you will not be angry with me for coming to you,—or for asking you these questions—"
"O dear, no."
"But I cannot be silent. My sister-in-law must at any rate know what is to be her fate."
"Then why do you not ask him?"
"He is ill at present."
"Ill! Where is he ill? Who says he is ill?" And Lady Ongar, though she did not quite leave her chair, raised herself up and forgot all her preparations. "Where is he, Mrs. Burton? I have not heard of his illness."