"Listen!"
They could hear quite plainly, for the pair at the end of the room had moved unthinkingly near them, and Spolger was talking shrilly to Mr. Marson about the man of whom they were then thinking.
"He came up to see me before he went away. I was very ill, but he would see me, and we had a most agitating interview. Told me that he loved Florry—told me, her affianced husband. Said that she would never marry me—that he could prevent the marriage. Then he insulted me. Yes! held out a box of pills, and asked me if I had any ideas beyond such things. I knocked the box out of his hand and insisted upon his leaving the house. He went, for I was firm—very firm though much agitated. He left the box behind him. Yes, I found it after he was gone, and sent my servant down with it to his boarding-house. Oh, I was terribly agitated. He was so bold. But he won't come back again. No! he won't come back."
"How do you know that?" cried Roger, starting to his feet, in spite of Judith's warning touch.
"What! you were listening," said Mr. Spolger, angrily, coming near to the young man.
"I could hardly help hearing you, seeing you raised your voice," retorted Roger, sharply.
"Most dishonourable! most dishonourable!"
"Sir!"
"Gentlemen! gentlemen!" said Francis Marson, plainly, "you are in my house."
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Marson," said Roger, ceremoniously, "I only asked Mr. Spolger a simple question."