‘Yes, I did, and the stupid woman only wanted to kiss me (but I wouldn’t let her) and said I was very right to stand up for my dear mamma. As if that had anything to do with it! What are you laughing at, mamma? Why, Uncle Regie is laughing, and Cousin Rotherwood! What is it?’
‘At the two partisans who never stand up for their own families,’ said Uncle Regie.
‘But it’s true!’ cried Gillian.
‘What! that I am never mistaken nor deceived?’ said Lady Merrifield.
‘Except when you took Miss Constance for a sensible woman, eh?’ said her brother.
‘That I never did! But I did take her for a moderately honourable one.’
‘Well, that was a mistake,’ owned Gillian. ‘And Miss Hacket is as bad! There’s no gratitude—-’
‘Hush!’ broke in her mother; and Gillian stopped abashed, while Lady Merrifield continued, ‘I won’t have Miss Hacket abused. She is only blinded by sisterly affection.’
‘I don’t think I can go there again,’ said Gillian, ‘after what she said about you.’
‘Nonsense!’ said her mother. ‘Don’t be as bad as Constance in trying to make me angry by telling me all poor Dolly’s grumblings.’