Thinking that the speakers might be friends of his and hers, he waited a moment, then sunk back into his chair, his face scarlet, his brow dark with a heavy frown—for this is what he heard:
“I tell you, it’s an absolute truth,” said one of the young fellows. “I had it from a most reliable source. The lady in question was seen leaving Lord Cecil Neville’s rooms alone and unattended——”
“Nonsense! Lady Grace—Lady Grace, of all women in the world!—go alone to Lord Neville’s chambers! You must be mad, old fellow!”
“I’m not mad!” retorted the first speaker, “and I wish to goodness you wouldn’t bellow out her name; I carefully avoided mentioning it; these walls are no thicker than paper, and you can’t tell who may be on the other side.”
“Oh, it’s all right,” said the other; “but, come, you know, the story is as thin as the partition! Why, no woman would do such a thing, unless she were utterly reckless of her good name.”
“I daresay not,” said the first, still as coolly; “but perhaps the lady in question happens to be reckless where this gentleman is concerned. Anyhow, I had it on good authority, and I happen to know it is an undisputable fact. Why, man, it was all the talk when I left London. It is said that she is head over ears in love with him——”
“Phew!” exclaimed one of the others, “that makes it worse. If she was guilty of such an indiscretion, all I can say is she must be very much in love! Lady Grace——”
“Do shut up!” cried the first speaker. “No names, remember!”
“Well, well, the lady in question is one of the best known women in society, and such a report would mean social ruin to her. Where did you hear it? Give me your authority.”
The first man seemed to pause a moment, then in a voice too low for Cecil to hear, said: