"No doubt," I returned; "but who knows what that way may be?"
"You may be wrong in supposing that the people at whose houses she visits know nothing about her habits."
"Is it at all likely they do, Roger? Do you think it is? I know at least that my cousin dispensed with her services as soon as she came to the knowledge of certain facts concerning these very points."
"Excuse me—certain rumors—very uncertain facts."
When you are cross, the slightest play upon words is an offence. I knocked at the door in dudgeon, then turned and said,—
"My cousin Judy, Mr. Roger"—
But here I paused, for I had nothing ready. Anger makes some people cleverer for the moment, but when I am angry I am always stupid. Roger finished the sentence for me.
—"Your cousin Judy is, you must allow, a very conventional woman," he said.
"She is very good-natured, anyhow. And what do you say to Lady Bernard?"
"She hasn't repudiated Miss Clare's acquaintance, so far as I know."