"But what?" He rose and stood up, very tall and very straight, looking down on her with a hungry look in his blue eyes.
"People are talking," murmured the lady, and stared at the floor, because she could not face that same look.
"Let them talk. What does it matter?"
"Nothing to you, perhaps, but to me a great deal. I have a husband."
"As I know to my cost," he interpolated.
"Then don't let me know it to my cost," she said pointedly. "Sit down and let us talk common sense."
Lambert did not obey at once. "I am only a human being, Agnes—"
"Quite so, and a man at that. Act like a man, then, and don't place the burden on a woman's shoulders."
"What burden?"
"Oh, Noel, can't you understand?"