"That was because she was innocent," said Lord Dollamore; "there must have been eligible persons, even among her Roundhead friends; how very much better to have consoled herself with--"
"As usual, you miss the point of the story, Lord Dollamore," said Alsager, hotly interrupting; "surely it would have been better to have been the murdered than the murderess in such a case."
"It's very lucky there are not any such cases now-a-days," said Sir Charles. "No woman would put a knife into another now."
"Into any one who stood between me and my love I would, for one," said Mrs. Hammond under her breath; and she looked for a moment so fierce, that Mitford said, "Gad, I believe you!" in a similar tone.
When the ladies had left the room Laurence Alsager said to Lord Dollamore: "You had heard that story before?"
"What story, my dear Alsager?"
"The legend of Egremont Priory."
"Had I? Not unlikely. You know I'm a very eccentric reader, and delight in odd stories."
"It's a pity you did not save Maxse the trouble of telling it again."
"Do you think so? Well, do you know I can't agree with you? Its recital seemed to bring out the character of some of our friends in the highest degree; and if there is anything I delight in, it is the study of character."