Lady Maud read the article quickly, but without betraying any emotion. When she had finished she raised her eyebrows a very little, and gave the paper back to Margaret.
'It is rather nasty,' she observed quietly, as if she were speaking of the weather.
'It's utterly disgusting,' Margaret answered with emphasis. 'What shall you do?'
'I really don't know. Why should I do anything? Your position is different, for you can write to the papers and deny all that concerns you if you like—though I'm sure I don't know why you should care. It's not to your discredit.'
'I could not very well deny it,' said the Primadonna thoughtfully. Almost before the words had left her lips she was sorry she had spoken.
'Does it happen to be true?' asked Lady Maud, with an encouraging smile.
'Well, since you ask me—yes.' Margaret felt uncomfortable.
'Oh, I thought it might be,' answered Lady Maud. 'With all his good qualities he has a very rough side. The story about me is perfectly true too.'
Margaret was amazed at her friend's quiet cynicism.
'Not that about the—the envelope on the table—'