"You mean Mr. Allen?" said the old lady in an embarrassed tone.
"Yes, I do, Mrs. Tice. And since he has left me, I do not see why I should not accept the attentions of Mr. Lambert Joad. The wretched old man worships the ground I walk on."
"Of course you are jesting?" said Mrs. Tice, with an uneasy smile; "but I see that Mr. Joad admires you. More's the pity."
"Why 'more's the pity'?"
"Well, you see, miss, he will not relish your rebuffing him for his impertinence; and he is likely to prove a dangerous enemy."
"Pshaw! He can do me no harm."
"I am not so sure of that, miss. He knows a good deal about Mr. Edermont's past life."
Dora turned round and looked sharply at the comely, withered face.
"Is there anything in the past life of Mr. Edermont likely to be harmful to me?"
"Yes," said Mrs. Tice deliberately, "there is."