"I think he is, Duchess. But as he has not spoken to me I am loath to make guesses. If there be anything, I can only guess at it."
Then she questioned Mrs. Finn, and got an answer which, if not satisfactory, was at any rate explanatory. "I think he is uneasy about that Silverbridge affair."
"What Silverbridge affair?"
"You know that he paid the expenses which that man Lopez says that he incurred."
"Yes;—I know that."
"And you know that that other man Slide has found it out, and published it all in the 'People's Banner'?"
"No!"
"Yes, indeed. And a whole army of accusations has been brought against him. I have never liked to tell you, and yet I do not think that you should be left in the dark."
"Everybody deceives me," said the Duchess angrily.
"Nay;—there has been no deceit."