‘Perhaps if I’d been a particular friend of Mr. Eldon’s—never mind.’
He flashed a look at her.
‘What are you talking about? Just speak plainly, will you? What do you mean by “particular friend”? I’m no more a friend of Eldon’s than you are, and I’ve made no bargain with him.’
‘I didn’t say you.’
‘Who then?’ he exclaimed sternly.
‘Don’t you know? Some one is so very proper, and such a fine lady, I shouldn’t have thought she’d have done things without your knowing.’
He turned pale, and seemed to crush the floor with his foot, that he might stand firm.
‘You’re talking of Adela?’
Alice nodded.
‘What about her? Say at once what you’ve got to say.’