"I? I repeat scandal—I spread scandal about another woman? a woman, too, who, in spite of the fact, that she must be fully thirty, has not yet been able to secure a husband to protect her? Indeed, Mr. Amherst, you must not think that you can drag me into this. You quite forget yourself if you suppose that I am willing to discuss such questionable things. If you choose to delve into these unpleasant matters it shall not be in my drawing-room."
Mr. Amherst surveyed her in silence.
"Pardon me, Mrs. Greene," he said, courteously, "but was not the matter first referred to in your drawing-room, and by you?"
"If," said Mrs. Langham-Greene, rather sadly, "if I allowed an expression of sympathy for the unfortunate girl to escape me, I did not expect to be reproached for it, Mr. Amherst."
Amherst, despite his indignation, began to feel a little abashed. After all, the woman had done nothing but mention Lynn pityingly; but why she or any one else should——
He pulled himself together and spoke, quietly.
"I gained the impression from what you said, Mrs. Greene, that there were unpleasant rumours afloat concerning Miss Thayer. Won't you tell me what they are?"
"Oh, no, Mr. Amherst," murmured the lady, distressfully. "I couldn't, really."
"Can't you give me an idea of them?"
"But, Mr. Amherst, you must know something. Why, the very servants talk of it. My butler and housemaid"——