"I'll do that--it's no more than fair. And the lady I speak of may be a connection of yours, you say. That's interesting, though I never thought of linking you two together."
"She never gave you cause to suspect it?"
"Never. If she had it would have been known and talked of. These things get about, you see."
"What you say makes me think all the better of her. May I proceed with my questions?"
"You may."
Had Mr. Manners been inclined to reflect, in his usual spirit, under the peculiar nature of this conversation, he would have loftily resented Mr. Parkinson's occupation of the higher ground; but in truth there was that stirring within him which humbled him; and it is good to know that it humbled without mortifying him.
"Are Mrs. Manners and her daughter," he asked, "living alone? Is she a widow?"
"No," replied Mr. Parkinson. "She is married, and lives with her husband."
"Are you acquainted with his Christian name?"
"Yes. It is Kingsley."