“And the cure was perfect?”
“Yes, I think it was too perfect. My tongue became most glib and voluble. Words slipped out I often wished unsaid.”
“You had had no practice in restraining them?”
“Well, no. But I think myself Mr. Barringcourt really did oil the wheels of my tongue too freely, because I don’t think by nature I should ever be given to answering back. But when I was there that seemed the one thing in life I was capable of.”
She had risen from her knees and walked towards the fireplace.
“But what reason should he have for doing so?”
Rosalie looked at him sideways. Then suddenly she laughed.
“You’ve got to learn some day how intensely stupid and simple I am, so perhaps you had better know soon as late. Well, I think the reason why he brought my tongue to such a pitch of volubility was because he is very keen on finding out all secrets, and he thought I should save time and trouble by being made very talkative.”
“He is keen on finding out secrets?”
“Yes; it sounds silly, but it’s true. He was most peculiar. If other men are like him, I pity the women that have to deal with them, and often think how fortunate my aunt was, for uncle was most quiet and peaceable.”