‘A falsehood! Are you sure of that, Mr. Wyvern?’
‘Perfectly sure. There is no foundation for it whatsoever.’
‘You don’t say so! I am very glad to hear that, for poor Mrs. Eldon’s sake.’
‘Could you lend me this newspaper for to-day?’
‘With pleasure. Really you relieve me, Mr. Wyvern. I had no means of inquiring into the story, of course. But how disgraceful that such a thing should appear in print!’
‘I am sorry to say, Mrs. Waltham, that the majority of things which appear in print nowadays are more or less disgraceful. However, this may claim prominence, in its way.’
‘And I may safely contradict it? It will be such a happiness to do so.’
‘Contradict it by all means, madam. You may cite me as your authority.’
The vicar crushed the sheet into his pocket and strode homewards.