Misogyn consented, but sighed. That sigh went unpitied, and the lady wasted no time.
“Do you see what is going on between your sister and that young man?”
“Yes; a little flirtation.”
“A great deal more than that. I caught them, in this very room, making love.”
“You alarm me,” said Vizard, with marked tranquillity.
“I saw him—kiss—her—hand.”
“You relieve me,” said Vizard, as calmly as he had been alarmed. “There's no harm in that. I've kissed the queen's hand, and the nation did not rise upon me. However, I object to it. The superior sex should not play the spaniel. I will tell him to drop that. But, permit me to say, all this is in your department, not mine.
“But what can I do against three of them, unless you support me? There you have let them go out together.”
“Together with Fanny Dover, you mean?”
“Yes; and if Fanny had any designs on him, Zoe would be safe—”