“What, Kate Dalton?”
“Yes, Kate Dalton. Oh! impossible, if you like deny it as much as you please, but she has not equal hardihood, that I can tell you; and if she had, here is the proof that could condemn her, this fragment of her lace flounce was caught in the door as she banged it in her escape; and this very evening I compared it with the dress in question; ay, and showed her the rent from which it came.”
Twice did George compel Norwood to repeat over this story; and then sat down, overwhelmed with sorrow and shame.
“You swear to me, then, Onslow, that you never saw her here, never knew of her coming?” said he, after a long silence between them.
“Never, I swear!” said the other, solemnly.
“Then, some other is the fortunate man, that's all. How good if it should turn out to be Jekyl!” And he laughed heartily at the absurdity of the conceit.
“No more of this,” said Onslow, passionately. “The tone of the society we live in here would seem to warrant any or every imputation, even on those whose lives are spotless; and I know of no greater degradation than the facility of our belief in them. In this instance, however, my conscience is at ease; and I reject, with contempt, the possibility of a stain upon that girl's honor.”
“The sentiment does more credit to your chivalry than your shrewdness, George,” said the Viscount, sarcastically.
“But as you are about to stake your life on the issue, I cannot impugn your sincerity.”
A hasty movement of George towards the window here alarmed Grounsell, and he noiselessly withdrew, and descended the stairs again.