"Well, it's about Nancy, and Sir Dudley Villars.—People are talking."
"Bah!" ejaculated Mrs. De Wolfe, "let them talk!"
"But do please listen, my dear! I am fond of Nancy, and I can't bear to hear it said, that she is being compromised."
"Compromised," shouted Mrs. De Wolfe. "What nonsense! What infamous scandal."
"Yes, it's all over my hotel, and only this morning, as we sat in the garden, Lady MacBullet, said she was sorry for Miss Travers; such a pretty young creature, and she understood an orphan, making herself so cheap and conspicuous, with a man of the character of Dudley Villars. They were on the lake together all day,—and the hotel was full of stories."
"Only cat women's gossip,—I know the style! I'm sure the men don't talk of Dudley's character! Men are not gossips!"
"Oh! and why not; what about men's clubs?"
"Well, I've never heard a man, say anything against Dudley."
"No, because he is straight enough with them, I believe;—both rich and generous. For women, he has a different code! Elizabeth, I know you are devoted to Dudley Villars,—and although an old grandmother, I am not altogether insensible to his fascinations, myself! When he chooses, he can be irresistible, so do pray imagine the spell he can cast over an impressionable young girl like Nancy?"
"No spell has been cast," protested her friend, sharply, "and really I'm surprised at you, Sally, taking the trouble to come over here, and tell me your hotel was talking scandal. Dudley Villars is my godson, I have absolute confidence in him you may be sure, or I would never have suffered him to be the continual companion of Nancy."